Edison’s leadership council a positive influence

HAMMONDSVILLE -- For anyone who believes today's teens do not encompass the same values and kindnesses as those in decades past, just introduce them to a member of the leadership council at Edison Local High School.

These juniors and seniors who have volunteered to take part in Greg Marsh's extra curricular activities club, display a thoughtfulness toward others which many believe was lost to this world long ago.

One example is a recent visit to John Gregg and Stanton elementary schools on Sept. 28.

The 34 club participants were invited to the buildings to assist preschoolers prior to the start of their school day. Of those who attended, 12 visited John Gregg and 18 went to Stanton.

Leadership council members Alexandra Ash, Abby Cunningham, Nolan Buchanan and Gage Cable were among the seniors helping at the Stanton building.

Buchanan stated council was asked to wear Edison sports jerseys or sweatshirts which display the Wildcat logo. By doing so, the younger pupils understand these older students who were like themselves, which helps put them at ease.

Maddie Summerville even donned the Wildcat costume and visited John Gregg. Buchanan and Cable explained leadership council members took turns getting the preschoolers off the bus or out of their parent's vehicles, taking them safely inside. So what exactly did the juniors and seniors do with the 3- and 4-year-olds?

According to Cunningham and Ash, many in leadership council sat and ate breakfast in the cafeteria with their new-found friends.

Others danced in the halls. A couple played in the gymnasium.

"We visited the greenhouse, too," Buchanan commented, saying the older children wanted to show off the plants they were growing.

Ash conveyed a few of the sixth-grade pupils discussed with them the fact they were nervous about moving to the high school next year for the start of seventh grade.

Council members expressed an understanding on how it would be a scary transition to go from being in a school with kindergartners to going into a building where 18-year-old adults attend class. The seniors tried to put the children at ease to make them less afraid. They sat and talked with them, assuring them they would be OK.

"Over all, this is a very positive program," Buchanan stated.

"We went to the first responders and delivered doughnuts last year," Ash recalled.

Laynie Prayso, Mazzy Speedy and Hannah Russell visited Stanton, as well. Juniors Speedy and Prayso said they were surprised by how much fun they had that morning. Russell, a senior, expressed her thoughts on taking part in such an activity, saying she, too, had fun hanging out with the children.

The girls reflected on their morning. They noted in the little time they had to spend with the preschool pupils before class, they were able to eat breakfast alongside them, read books to them and answer any questions they were curious about. One question that was asked was, "Why are you here?"

A good question.

The girls explained they had come to make their day a little easier and more fun than it usually might be. The best part, however, were the hugs and high-fives, the trio agreed.

"This really was a positive experience," Speedy said.

Marsh explained he has been the club adviser since it started last year. Danah Beaver serves as his co-adviser. He is very pleased with the group and what they are doing to help others. The leadership council has created a Facebook page, Marsh said. It was built for posting positive messages on what the group is doing for the schools and the community. Negative comments are not permitted, and the sight is monitored to ensure only positive material is addressed.

Marsh said he wants everyone to know the good work that is being done by the Edison students and that there is a place to turn when anyone is in need of help. Marsh said positivity is always stressed by those in the group. He provided the example of the council girls who use erasable markers or lipstick to write small, positive messages on bathroom mirrors, saying "It is OK to not be OK." Messages of hope and acts which are the opposite of bullying is their focus.

Those participating in the club are volunteers. In order to take part, Marsh said a student has to have the desire to serve as a role model, maintain good grades and be in good standing with their teachers. Teachers provide their input on how a student performs prior to their joining council.

"We are real happy with the program," Marsh concluded. "These activities bring a smile to people's faces when they hear what the students have been doing for others."

As for Marsh and his students, they expressed they will continue to do these good deeds for as long as the leadership council remains in place at Edison.