Enterprise Middle School (EMS), located in Richland, Washington, has branded itself as “Wildcat Nation.” EMS won our 2017-2018 Class Act Award for their CharacterStrong Servant Leadership Program, which has made their local news because of its positive impact on the whole community.
Counselor Hans Appel describes CharacterStrong’s mission as “developing a positive school wide culture of kindness, service, and empathy.” This culture is evident through both special events and day-to-day operation at EMS. Each day, students and staff greet everyone entering the building by name, with high fives and music, to ensure that they feel welcomed. Students have noted the welcoming environment, and say that no one eats lunch alone at EMS. Staff and students challenge each other and themselves with the same question: “What will you do for others today?”
Special events held throughout the year keep the positive energy high at EMS. Here are a few of our favorite past events:
- During Wildcat Cafe, sixth grade student leadership created a hot beverage cafe for fellow students and staff, and even served as the cafe’s baristas.
- Wildcat students held events to honor two of the often unsung heroes of schools: custodians and bus drivers. They awarded the head custodian the Golden Broom Award in honor of his hard work and dedication. This award included a thirty minute break during the seventh grade lunch period, which he could use to enjoy cookies while the students did part of his work for him. EMS students showed their appreciation for their bus drivers with homemade cookies, hot cider, and meaningful words of thanks.
- Students and staff organized a Community Strong event to raise awareness about CPR training. The event included a lasagna dinner, silent auction, and involvement of local first responders and health professionals.
Enterprise Middle School’s counseling website describes CharacterStrong as “more than a curriculum–it’s a culture.” You can learn more about the kindness that EMS students and staff spread in their community by checking out the school’s counseling website and YouTube playlist.
We are so proud of the difference that Enterprise Middle School is making in the community! We challenge all of you to adopt their daily question: What will you do for others today?
