KLA students Leanna White, Benjamine Pavil, and Shaden Tobeluk recently gave a presentation to the LKSD Strategic Improvement Team about the KLA Sources of Strength program. Sources of Strength is a strengths-based peer leader program. LKSD schools have been able to adapt the program culturally to our communities by naming Yupik values as strengths, and by taking a student-led approach in planning projects for each school. The program encourages students to take ownership, and the positive messages have been contagious in our schools.

During their presentation Leanna, Benjamine, and Shaden talked about the program helping them connect to friends and to be more positive. They have helped their classmates identify sources of strength by having students think about songs that give them strength, and identifying who and what can be sources for healing in their lives. Students especially enjoyed connecting to local elders when they brought cookies to the Lulu Herron home.

Our KLA students have also partnered with the new Gladys Jung Elementary Sources of Strength group as mentors. Students also thanked their KLA mentor and advisor James Robinson. 

We are proud of our students for being sources of strength in their school and community!