Honoring SLE eighth graders

SEELEY LAKE – Friday afternoon Seeley Lake Elementary staff Toni Sexton, Suzie Teafoe and Janina Bradley hung banners recognizing the eighth grade graduates at SLE on the fence facing School Lane.

"We have known some of these kids since they were in preschool. It just doesn't feel right to not somehow honor them," said Teafoe. "Even if it is in just this small, little way."

Missoula County Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Shannan Sproull said ever since schools have been closed and graduation ceremonies canceled due to coronavirus, she has reached out to people across the state to figure out unique ways to recognize high school and eighth grade graduates.

"We all know COVID has interrupted our lives. Those kids who are seniors and eighth graders in particular – those are times of transition. There is a lot that kids miss out on in spring activities, recognition, participation, closure to the year, being able to say goodbye – all of those things and more," said Sproull.

Sproull said that banners and posters recognizing the students were something that was feasible, appreciated and it gives public recognition to those students who wouldn't otherwise receive the attention this year.

Sproull reached out to Seeley-Swan High School and SLE to see if she could help fund banners for their graduates. The SSHS Booster Club had already purchased theirs but Sexton at SLE was excited for the opportunity.

Sproull provided grant money to SLE to print the banners through a prevention grant she receives from the state's Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

She explained that surveys in Montana show that students who gain recognition by their communities and neighbors are less likely to engage in risk behaviors. Prevention dollars can be used for activities that work towards keeping youth healthy and making healthy choices. She suggested including an individual word to recognize each student on the banner.

"Only in a small community could you come up with an individual adjective for every single student," said Sproull "Being able to recognize the individual by coming up with those individual recognitions makes a huge difference."

Teafoe and Sexton came up with the adjective to describe each student.

"Their word came from everything we knew about them through the years," said Sexton.

Teafoe added it was so fun really thinking about each student and the memories over the years. They were very deliberate about the words they chose.

"It is my hope that they love the words that we associated with them," said Teafoe.

Mark Kues, owner of the Branding Shack in Seeley Lake, did the design and the printing of the banners. Students will be allowed to take them home after June 2. This was the scheduled day for graduation but there will be no ceremony this year.

Sexton and Teafoe both agreed that it is difficult not having a ceremony this year since they "raised" some of them since they were in preschool.

Teafoe said, "We will miss them and we hope they come visit in the fall."

 

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