Fifteen students at Pryor Middle School had the opportunity to step into leadership roles on Friday, April 26, 2024, as part of an initiative led by longtime educator Ms. Gloria Parish. 

• The students, who typically wear Pryor Middle School shirts as part of their uniform, dressed up in a mix of shirts, ties, slacks, and dresses to show their commitment to their new responsibilities.

The day began with the student leaders greeting their peers as they got off the bus, a task usually handled by school staff. They then took on the role of hall monitors, ensuring that their fellow students adhered to the dress code and arrived to class on time.

“This morning, they took on part of our duties that we do each and every day,” said Ms. Parish, who has been overseeing bus duty for over 30 years. She divided the students into two groups, assigning them to each bus, and praised their excellent performance.

The selection process for the student leaders involved input from teachers across all grade levels, as well as school counselors. The chosen students were those who consistently demonstrated good behavior, timely attendance, and a willingness to take on challenges in the classroom.

Ms. Parish also worked with school counselors to identify students who had overcome difficulties and turned their behavior around. 

• “I wanted to identify students that were either getting into trouble or had a hard time in the classroom but worked hard to turn it around, because they earned that,” she said.

The students selected included:

• Bella Hughes 
• Kenisley Davis
• Mia Arias
• Avery Thigpen
• Kadalina Bledsoe
• Libny Valle 
• Danika Fears
• Antony Lopez
• Jackie Garza
• Swanee Diaz
• Eric Garcia
• Kevin Bravo
• Preston Graham 
• Andry Cisneros
• Ethan Hulett 

The impact of this leadership opportunity on the students was significant. “When I first called them in the room, you should have seen their faces. They were just shocked because they felt that nobody cared enough for them to give them the opportunity to do something like this,” Ms. Parish shared.

The initiative not only boosted the students’ confidence but also showed them that their school community cared about their growth and success. Ms. Parish hopes that this program will continue in the future, with 8th graders leading 7th graders and 7th graders leading 6th graders.

Three 8th grade students who participated in the leadership program shared their experiences and thoughts on their relationship with Ms. Parish. Avery Thigpen, one of the student leaders, described their morning duties, saying, “This morning, we opened the gates for the bus ramp, and we let all the students out of the bus, and we said good morning to them.”

For Bella Hughes, this was her first year participating in the program, and remembered last year’s leadership students. When asked what made her want to be a part of the initiative, she replied, “I really just wanted to be a leader, and I wanted to be part of something like this.” She found the experience of talking to students and ensuring they were in dress code to be enjoyable and fun.

Preston Graham, another student leader, shared his motivation for joining the program in his final year at Pryor. 

• “I felt like for eighth grade, I should do what I’m able to do for my last year at Pryor,” he explained. When asked about how it felt to be dressed up for the occasion, Preston stated, “to be honest, it made me feel professional.”

The student leaders also expressed their appreciation for Ms. Parish and the relationships they have built with her. Avery described her as “really kind and understanding and tries to make great connections with the students.” 

Bella shared that she has grown close to Ms. Parish over the past year, stating, “She’s been very caring and she honestly is like a grandmother to me. When I need something I can come to her and she also talks to me about a lot of stuff. I feel like we have a really good relationship.”

• Preston added, “She’s a really honest person. If I need help, she’ll help me out.” Bella further described Ms. Parish’s personality, saying, “She’s always has high energy and always brings up the mood. She’s really goofy at times. It’s really fun being around her. She’s a big personality.”

For Ms. Parish, it was another year of being incredibly proud of her students at Pryor Middle School.

• “I was watching them and I was just blown away at what was taking place,” she said. “These are students at Pryor Middle School that took on administrative jobs and did what they had to do this morning.”

“This program continues to be a fantastic opportunity for students to become leaders and set an amazing example for their classmates,” said Superintendent of Schools Marcus Chambers. “Ms. Gloria Parish is an absolutely dedicated teacher who goes above and beyond to inspire her students to succeed both academically and in life with her vast knowledge, genuine love, and endless encouragement.”