From tutoring elementary students to serving lunch in the cafeteria...from arranging chairs for basketball games to managing book checkout in the media center…
This school year, 54 juniors and seniors are participating in the Youth Service program at Cleveland Public School. The program pairs students with teachers and staff who need help in their daily activities. Lasting all school year, it is a class period built into the students’ schedules, and they earn a grade just like any other course.
Youth Service is a win-win for everyone, said grade 9-12 student counselor Megan Peterson, who manages the program.
“It is truly one of the coolest things happening in our building. I don’t think our school would run nearly as well without our Youth Service students. There isn’t a single teacher who doesn’t want a Youth Service helper. Everyone is quick to jump at the chance because these students make such a meaningful difference in our classrooms.”
On the flip side, the program is also beneficial for the high school students beyond gaining an academic credit, Peterson said.
“Watching them step into leadership roles and serve as positive role models is really special. They are fantastic with the kids, and seeing them in action is one of the highlights of Youth Service.”
Youth Services already existed when Peterson started at Cleveland school in 2014. There are no special qualifications to participate; any interested junior or senior who has a slot in their schedule can sign up.
“I pair each student with a staff member in the building,” Peterson said. “Students can indicate a preference for the grade level or area they’d like to help in, and then I put the puzzle together by matching their requests with staff availability.”
There isn’t formal training for Youth Service. On the first day of school, interested students meet with Peterson to go over expectations for the year, and from there the experience becomes individualized based on the supervisor they are assigned to.
In elementary classrooms, Youth Service students do everything from working directly with students—helping with classwork, reading with them, or offering extra support—to completing small tasks for teachers such as bulletin boards, correcting or other classroom projects, Peterson said. At the high school level, they function more as teacher assistants, taking on whatever jobs staff may need.
“You can see the connections forming between the high school helpers and the younger students, and it’s so fun to watch,” Peterson said. “The little ones absolutely adore their helpers. They light up when they see them in the hallways or even at events. There’s a lot of exciting ‘I know him!’ or ‘I know her!’ moments.”
Youth Service students also help to maintain the lunchroom and aid food administrator Monica Manzey in the cafeteria. Others assist athletic director Walker Froehling with activity setup, help physical education teachers Charlie Haugen and Madysen Loken during gym time or work in the Media Center managing book checkouts and returns.
“Really, in any area of the building where we can use an extra set of hands, you’ll find a Youth Service helper,” Peterson said.
“We really need the extra help, and they enjoy being here,” said Manzey, whose student help includes unloading food trucks, preparing and serving food and cleaning the cafeteria when lunchtime is over.
Senior Vivian Hilfer helps Emily Elverum with her third-grade class. She is typically there during math time, so she answers questions the students have. Otherwise, she assists around the classroom with anything the teacher needs, like making copies, passing out papers and grading.
“I wanted to be in Youth Service because I love helping with kids and being around them,” said Hilfer, who also served in Youth Service as a junior. “I’ve taught third graders at my church for four years now, so I am quite used to it. Mrs. Elverum has also been my dance teacher for years, so that was an easy decision to be with her.”
Hilfer said seeing the impact she makes on the young students is rewarding.
“I just genuinely enjoy taking that hour out of my day to help out, to connect and have some fun with the next generation. You get to watch them figure out a math problem you helped with or listen to them when they just want to tell you everything about their day. It’s also very fun when they see you in the hallways or outside of their classroom time. They get so excited, and often I get hugs or high fives.”
Hilfer would recommend the program to next year’s crop of juniors and seniors.
“It is just another easy way to help out in our school with not a lot of commitment, the kids absolutely love it, and you get a lot out of it too.”
Above: Vivian Hilfer helps a third grader solve math problems.
Seniors Killian Kunkel and Sean Baumann ready for cafeteria cleanup.
Junior Tanner Simonette serves students as they flow through the lunch line.
Junior Cole Stocker checks out books in the Media Center for freshman Charlotte Meyer.
Junior Caleb Connor works with a group of fifth graders in Connor Theis’s classroom.
Senior Mason Kluntz helps prepare for events around the school.
Junior Carson Lyons assists Emily Manser’s fourth grade class.