creating Connections

with children. What does that look like? I can call some elementary principals and say, ‘Hey, would you be interested in some of our kids coming over and volunteering?’”

It’s one thing to offer unique service events, but getting a variety of students to sign up is a challenge. The diversity of the Thrivers group, with students hailing from different social and academic circles, helps bring more students on board, says senior Kihosha Hanson.

“I think what I like the most about Thrivers is that it’s a random selection of students,” Hanson said. “It gives the diversity that we need in a group that has so much impact on the school. The people who are well known know what the other wellknown people want to do. And the people who are not as popular can give input on why other kids do not want to join service events.”

The group works together to help the school and advocate for students, creating an environment that helps the Thrivers grow closer in the process. One of their goals is also to strengthen the bonds of the rest of the student body, whether it be through student community service events or through creating days like Game of Life, where students can relax together in a comfortable atmosphere.

“[Thrivers helps] all the students become closer with each other,” freshman Tatum Bennet said. “I think that it all starts with us, and then we build on this group.”

Aside from their work as the creators of Game of Life and Consol Cares, Thrivers also act as representatives of the student body. On a staff development day in February 2022, the group spoke directly to teachers about what they loved and what could be different.

“They were in charge of presenting to the staff,” Elder said. “That was something new — for students to present to their teachers as far as what they thought would be beneficial for them to have a strong finish.”

Presentation points included the welcoming impact of greeting students at the door, supporting different types of learners, classroom decoration, using Schoology as a resource hub, and building relationships.

“If you’re a visual learner, but your teacher only lectures, they need to incorporate more pictures,” Hanson said. “Also, relationships with teachers and students — teachers can talk about other things outside of the actual lesson, [so] you get to know your teachers, [and] teachers get to know students.”

Many Thrivers students view that day as a success and believe it has translated into positive change.

“I feel a different energy from teachers. Also, a different student energy,” senior Jared Mayberry said. “Since then, I feel the teachers have implemented a few new things that we have advised. You can tell that they care, that they understand what we need, and that they are willing to help us.”

Because of Thrivers, students have an opportunity to put in work that directly impacts the school. Their ideas create events that engage the student body and provide student input to teachers.

“From my perspective, I’ve definitely seen the work that goes behind all of it, like Consol Cares,” Bennet said. “How the teachers see us is definitely something that has changed.”

From monthly brainstorming sessions to fully realized community-building events like Game of Life and Consol Cares, Thrivers cherishes student insight.

“The whole purpose is to get student [voices] when we’re making decisions and to be a positive light not only on the campus community, but the BCS community,” Elder said.