Story by Ainsley Hall
MARTINSBURG — On Friday morning, students from Spring Mills Primary School were surprised to see senior cheerleaders and football players from Spring Mills High School come and welcome them as they were dropped off for another school day.
The high schoolers came as a part of the Cardinal Community Connection program, which is designed to help create a sense of community and traditions throughout the Spring Mills campus.
Nicole Krause, principal of Spring Mills Primary School, met with Spring Mills High School Principal Mark Salfia to help create this program between the schools. Though this program has existed since the schools were established, they only named it this year and are making it more of a focus for the new school year.
“Since we are still a newer campus, we are still creating new traditions,” Krause said. “This year, we really wanted to focus on community connection since we don’t have well-established traditions like other schools.”
Through this program, they plan on starting events, such as the Fall Fest, and creating opportunities for students to connect by bringing the primary students to visit a high school prep rally. Many middle school and high school students visit the primary school to read stories and work with the kids, but Krause believes there are many more ways to help create a community between the schools.
One way they did this is by inviting the senior cheerleaders and football players to come help at the student drop-off. As students got off the bus or out of the car, they were greeted by high schoolers they look up to. They created positive energy to help make the school day more exciting.
“My primary kids idolize these students," Krause said. “The cheerleaders and football players are their heroes. They look up to these students and want to grow up to be like them. These students worked hard to get where they are, and it’s important for the kids to have positive role models in the schools.”
Through the program, the schools hope to create a positive atmosphere throughout the year to make school a place where students want to be. It begins with moments like this, where students can help build a community.
“The excitement on the kids' faces was just amazing,” Krause said. “The high schoolers had such a positive impact on the kids, and I’m sure that meant a lot for them, as well as the students. It’s a great way for them to make a difference.”