Youth Leaders in Action: Beginning a New Year

“It is worth missing recess for!” 

These are not words you hear much from fifth grade student — time with friends, playing wallball and hanging out is very important to them. But it seems I may have found something that many fifth graders want to do in place of lunch recess (at least for several days per month).

My business, Boost! Leadership, runs leadership programs at three Alameda elementary schools. Boost! provides opportunities for upper grade students to be K-buddies and Jr. Coaches for younger grade students during the lunch hour.

Getting the opportunity to help their school, to be a role models for younger students and to work with the cute kindergarteners is something they are thrilled to volunteer for. And volunteer is what they do. All the programs I run are completely the student's choice to signup for.

At one school this year I had over 90 students want to be in the program. It's very exciting to see so many kids want to help... though a little overwhelming to have to think about scheduling all of them!  

This week, after recruiting and training, the new set of leaders has begun working. Already in the first few days I have seen them excelling in their new roles.

I saw K-buddies being helpful to scared kindergarten students who have no idea how to navigate the school lunch room, systems being put into place for teaching the kids how to be safe on the play structures, and lots of fun games being played with the younger students — teaching them the skills they will need on the big play yard. 

I am excited to witness these students' enthusiasm for leading, thrilled to see them thrive in their roles, and feeling like a proud momma as I watch my babies fly from the nest. 

Look for more posts  throughout the year to see what else Alameda’s youth leaders are doing...