Fort Scott Middle School students have PRIDE
Some local students have chosen to take time out of their busy schedules to participate in community service programs, which benefit various groups of people.
USD 234 is the only district in the state that pays school personnel to sponsor its PRIDE program, according to Fort Scott Middle School PRIDE sponsor Joyce Davenport. The FSMS students who participate in this program are given the opportunity to participate in about 35 different projects.
The PRIDE projects are organized to help promote hard work, fun and rewards, Davenport said.
According to the K-State University Research and Extension, the Kansas PRIDE program focuses on community improvement.
"The goal of PRIDE is to help maximize community and economic development efforts by encouraging all groups to coordinate and work collaboratively for community betterment," the statement said.
Davenport said FSMS PRIDE offers students incentives that help to encourage program participation. A PRIDE party is given for students who have participated in at least two projects. A second party is organized at a later date for students who have participated in at least four projects, and at the end of the year, students who have helped with six or more projects are invited to a third party. Davenport said that the students have a good time participating in the PRIDE projects in addition to enjoying themselves at the reward parties.
"I believe the students enjoy participating in the PRIDE parties, because they get to go somewhere out in the community, do something with their friends, meet other people out in the community, and it gives them a good feeling, doing something for others. They learn social and leadership skills through the activities," she said.
In addition to the reward parties, the PRIDE students who participate in at least three projects will be recognized with a certificate during a year-end awards assembly. Also, the top three PRIDE participants in each grade are rewarded with cash prizes and an assortment of prizes from various businesses.
Last year PRIDE students participated in a Katrina Relief fundraiser. By organizing a Friday afternoon at the movies and by selling ice cream bars at lunch time, these students were able to raise $600 to assist those in need.
In addition to the Katrina Relief Fund, the students also raised money to be donated to the Bourbon County Chapter of the United Way. Davenport said that one of the purposes of the United Way fundraiser was for the students to become aware of the United Way organization, which contributes to more than 15 groups and agencies that help families and children in the local community. In order to learn more about the United Way, all of the FSMS students watched a Power Point presentation, which was given at an all-school assembly. Projects that the middle school students completed in order to raise funds for the local chapter of the United Way included theme days, in which students could pay a quarter to dress up according to that particular day's theme. Planned theme days were Hat Day, Crazy Hair Day, Twin Day and Slipper and Pajama Pant Day. In addition to the theme days, another Friday Afternoon at the Movies was conducted.
According to Davenport, December is the busiest month for these volunteers. The students have participated in the Salvation Army bell ringing fundraiser and Santa's Workshop at Buck Run Community Center. In addition, they lit the candles for the National Historic Site's Candlelight Tour and the luminaries for Christmas in the Park. Also, they are still in the process of collecting plastic bottle caps, which will be recycled into flower pots for use in the new Tri-Valley Developmental Services greenhouse.
McKayla Stanley, a PRIDE volunteer, who participated in activities during the cold icy weather, said despite the cold weather she enjoyed the events. She said she thinks it's fun to participate in the projects with her friends, and feels good about doing things for others.
Davenport said last year, 161 students with this organization participated in a total of 1,134 hours of community service, raising $1,502 for various causes. This year, the students are again hard at work, putting in many hours to help those in need.