The MTHS Big Panther Program honorees. Back row (l-r): Elementary Assistant Principal, Eric Tattersall, Alainee Wolffe, Lily Waddle, Blake Steele, Lillee Joseph, Aiden Pence, Madyson Jones, Dylan Ely, board member, Rob Dawson, Board member, Dave Miller. Front row (l-r): Elementary Assistant Principal, Sunny Cummings, board member, Lindsey Worley, board president, Jacklyn Farrens, Elizabeth Turner, Kadence Rose, Maggie McMahon, Isabel Gilpen, Justin Everhart, Caitlyn Davis, and Ashlyn Davis.
Brya Labig | R-H photo
This week, the Miami Trace Board of Education honored some committed students who have been involved in the district’s Big Panther mentorship program.
“Approximately two years ago, we had the idea within some of our student clubs to begin the mentorship program,” said Miami Trace Superintendent Kim Pittser during the school board meeting, held at the Miami Trace High School cafeteria.
According to Pittser, it was the high school students who originally formed the idea saying, “we’re a central campus, and so we have access to each other. What better way to utilize our central campus than to have big Panthers working with little Panthers at the Miami Trace Elementary School.”
Initially, according to Pittser, the program began its first year with “fairly low” numbers of around eight to 10, however, the program now has 26 active participants.
The school board honored those participants on Monday to recognize their hard work and dedication to the younger Panthers.
“Without all of their hard work,” said Pittser, “it would be difficult to implement and keep this program sustained, so I’d like to thank you all so very much for all that you do.”
