- Campo Verde High
- Homepage
GPS clubs committed to helping incoming students succeed
Transitions can be challenging, but with the right kind of support in place you can overcome any obstacle. On our school campuses, students are empowering students through mentorship. They are helping their classmates navigate new school environments both academically and socially. As part of National Mentoring Month, Gilbert Public Schools is highlighting three school clubs that are successfully guiding students through the transition from elementary school to junior high and junior high to high school.
“The one reason I wanted to join was I wanted to get way more involved on campus this year. I really like the idea of meeting new people from a different grade and helping them acclimate to a new environment,” said Maria Lopez, an eighth grade student at South Valley Junior High School.
Lopez is a leader in the WEB club, which stands for “Where Everybody Belongs.” The junior high transition program is nationally-recognized. WEB leaders at South Valley work with seventh grade students to help them adjust to junior high.
“The leaders are actually nominated by their teachers at the end of their seventh grade year. There is an application process, and they have to go through an extensive two-day training in the summer,” said Lisa Larson, drama teacher and co-coordinator for WEB at South Valley.
WEB leaders say junior high students can have trouble adjusting to their new classes, making new friends, and WEB provides a safe space where students can celebrate their differences and learn from each other.
“There are a lot of names, and people have to live up to those names. If you’re called popular, you have to live up to everybody’s expectations, but with WEB everybody is equal. We are all the same. We all participate,” said Emma Daskam, a WEB leader.
The program puts on various events and activities throughout the school year, which gives students the chance to make new friends. The events also encourage students to get involved in their school and step outside of their comfort zones. Lacey Stubblefield says she didn’t know any other students when she came to South Valley, but joining WEB changed that.
“I came from Neely, a traditional school. I didn’t know a lot of people when I came here for seventh grade, but coming into WEB and meeting the people with different backgrounds it was really cool to see how we were all striving for the same purpose,” Stubblefield said.
WEB also helps eighth grade students develop their leadership skills. Kade Murray is president this year, and he’s really enjoyed stepping into the role.
“It feels good. As I grow up, leadership skills are obviously very important. With the specific career that I have in mind, leadership skills are something that you will definitely want,” he said.
When it comes to the best piece of advice WEB leaders have for incoming seventh grade students, they stress the importance of attending campus events and joining clubs.
“Don’t wait for the opportunity, you’ve got to go for it. If you want to be someone’s friend, don’t wait for them to come to you. If you want to join something, don’t wait,” Daskam said.
The same advice comes in handy when junior high students make the transition to high school. After leaving South Valley, GPS students can attend Campo Verde High School, where two clubs are striving to integrate freshmen into the CV family.
“I have so many friends that I consider family that I’ve met here just because it is a loving environment. All of the teachers are like parents to me. Everyone just has this great bond and connection that I really enjoy having, because I have friends at other schools that don’t have that same experience,” said Grace Rucka, a senior at Campo.
Rucka is part of Link Crew, another nationally-recognized program, which trains high school juniors and seniors to become mentors. They work together to help facilitate the success of freshmen students.
“We have Link Leaders in our club that focus on helping freshmen, but mainly becoming the freshmen’s friend and providing a lot of helpful resources. When freshmen do come to Campo, they will already have friends and a secure place if they are needing somewhere to go,” said Ellison Tobler, a senior and Link Leader at Campo.
Link Crew organizes campus-wide events, including academic presentations with study tips and fun days with food trucks and games. The goal is to strengthen the bond between students and make freshmen feel more comfortable and confident.
“It’s uncomfortable raising your hand and having to share some information, but it’s extremely valuable when you have to go out into the real world. If you have that confidence, then you are able to handle social situations,” Tobler said.
For some Link Leaders, the club is an opportunity for them to give back to their campus and share lessons that they learned along the way. Emily Strieter, a Campo senior, says it’s been a valuable experience for her to be part of this year.
“I remember my freshman year was the hardest. I had so many classes. They were easier classes compared to junior and senior year, but I was just struggling. To have leaders help the freshmen with their classes, it is really just a great club to be a part of,” Strieter said.
This year, students at Campo can get help with their classes through LIFT, which stands for “Learning in Focus Together.” The new mentoring program was developed by Erica Duckett, the academic interventionist on-campus.
“Before LIFT, there wasn't really one-on-one academic and social mentoring with the supervision of a teacher,” said Matias Gonzalez, a junior and LIFT leader.
As part of LIFT, students can come during their lunch period for student-to-student tutoring. They can get academic advice from Duckett, and the upperclassmen also share tips on how to manage their assignments and other tasks.
“We also help them get organized. They have all this stuff, but they don't know where to get started,” said Kahliyah Griffin, a junior and LIFT leader.
LIFT is available to every student at Campo. The leaders put in several hours a week supporting their classmates with the goal of seeing them succeed.
“We just want to see people come to Campo and grow as students. For freshmen to go from not knowing how to talk to teachers to becoming club leaders in one to two years,” Gonzalez said.