Throughout the Bishop O’Gorman Catholic School system, the high school counseling staff has implemented Hope Squad this year. Mrs. Robey, a high school counselor and leader of the squad, said Hope Squad is specifically “an evidence-based, peer-to-peer youth suicide prevention program, dedicated to spreading hope and creating a school culture that promotes connectedness and inclusivity. The Hope Squad is composed of students selected for their kindness, approachability, and trustworthiness to help prevent mental health crises among their peers.” The week of February 24th-28th was chosen to be the first Hope Squad inspired “Hope Week.”
Starting off strong on Monday, the high school counselors had a “shred your stress” table where students could write down their stressors on paper and send them straight through the shredder. “I felt really calm after watching the stress on my paper go right through the shredder,” said senior Keira McManus. We also were asked to wear crazy socks as a fun “step” into the week.
On Tuesday, students were encouraged to wear neon polos to school. Similarly, neon was the outfit theme in the student section for the doubleheader that night! The Hope Squad sponsored the evening with members singing the National Anthem, playing in the pep band, and cheering on the Knights Basketball Teams. Mrs. Robey said her favorite moment of the week was the doubleheader: “Looking around in that moment, there were over 20 OG Hope Squad members from 4th grade through senior year singing the National Anthem. There were over 20 Junior Hope Squad Members sprinkled throughout the high school pep band playing. In the stands, there were 50 Hope Squad members buddied up and cheering. There were resource tables when you came in from Avera and Journey of Hope. The whole night was just a blast with such strong community support and a whole system wide connection. I guess we didn’t anticipate how well it would bring all levels from all schools together and for such a cool mission! It was a really beautiful moment.”
Wednesday, students wore red and pink to “Spread the Love.” The high school also had their weekly school mass with chaplain Fr. Tony Klein, who spoke about hope within our Catholic faith during the homily.
On Thursday, students were able to wear colored polos that were associated with the different “Inside Out” characters. We also had 13 service dogs brought into the lower foyer after school. For junior Hunter Cox, the dogs were a great escape from his everyday stress: “I grew up in a house where we weren’t allowed to have a dog, so getting to spend time with those dogs made my day!”
Finally, on Friday students were encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts, and counselors handed fruit snacks to students in the morning. Student council president and Hope Squad member, Anya Bornitz played music in the hall with hopeful lyrics. “My favorite song I played that day was ‘Who Says’ by Selena Gomez,” Anya said. “I love seeing people smiling and singing along to the songs as they walk through the hallways.”
The week’s events were all organized by the high school Hope Squad, who meets for monthly training and planning. The students all came up and executed their own ideas. To become a member of Hope Squad, the students are peer-nominated in the spring through a survey asking who is an authentic friend in the building. Teachers and staff take no part in the decisions, so it is truly based on who people can count on and talk to about anything.
Additionally, the elementary schools joined in the Hope Week fun throughout the week. At St. Michael and St. Katharine Drexel Elementaries, the Hope Squad members were given the opportunity to say the announcements over the intercom and organize various daily “hope” challenges. At St. Michael’s they have eleven total members on their Hope Squad. On Monday, they created an emoji puzzle scavenger hunt around the school for their peers. They also gave out rubber bracelets with inspirational verses on them to all K-6 students. On Tuesday, students were challenged to sit with a different class at lunch. On Wednesday, all students could wear bright colored t-shirts along with their uniform pants. The fun continued on Friday when Hope Squad members played games with PK students in their classrooms!
Erin Mack, counselor at St. Michael and St. Katherine Drexel, added that, “St. Michael members also wrote their own script and made a video about Hope Squad to share with the whole school and St. Katherine’s had the KSKD News Crew interview Hope Squad members about what the like about Hope Squad. ”
St. Katherine Drexel’s Hope Squad has seven members, who helped organize their own events for the week. On Monday, there was a bulletin board stating “stop, smile, breathe” and all students drew pictures or wrote about something that makes them happy on a note card for the bulletin board. Students also wore bright colored shirts that day. Tuesday’s “Joy Jar” was a hit – members wrote encouraging notes for students to take out of the jar and read if they are having a difficult day. On Wednesday, rubber bracelets with inspirational verses were handed out to K-6 students.
Connecting the system’s Hope Squads have been important throughout the year. High school students have visited the elementary schools to connect with the school system. “My favorite part of Hope Squad is going to the elementary schools and going to recess with the kids and teaching them about Hope Squad,” said senior Anya Bornitz. As for senior Sullivan Schlimgen, his favorite part of Hope Squad is “being a part of something that directly contributes to the betterment and wellbeing of our peers.” It is needless to say that members are learning important life lessons because of their involvement in this group. Hope Squad is working each day to spread more awareness in the importance of kindness, positivity, and inclusivity. Mrs. Robey, O’Gorman High School counselor, commented “I’m amazed at how intentional and present this group of students is. We three advisors are so proud to witness all their strengths play out through these event weeks.”
