Being a kid is something that no matter how long it’s been, everyone still thinks about it. Running around on the playground, pretending to sleep in order to get carried into the house, enjoying surprise ice cream or froyo trips.
Well, what about school programs? As a kid, one of the programs LSHS used to offer was “Big Viking Little Viking”, which provided multiple benefits to me. I looked forward to spending time with my Big Viking, Sommer Mills.
The program paired up and LSHS students with an elementary student for one day a week. The younger student got pulled from class to hang out with their Big Viking.
“This program started before Mrs. Ivelia and I started here. We came in 2012, so I wanna say maybe 2008,” LSHS Associate Principal Jason Pearson said.
The Big Viking Little Viking program was an ASB club for anyone to join. Any student enrolled at Lake Stevens High School was allowed to join this group and be paired with a younger student to mentor. Many students rely on school programs like free/reduced lunch, after-school clubs, arts like theater or drama club for support. Big Viking Little Viking was also a program that benefited students and provided support
Activities consisted of events on campus. For example, they could go in a group to a school-supervised basketball game and just hang out with their Big Viking
No one ever really knows what is going on in others’ lives, may it be good or bad. Having groups/clubs that deal with helping others feel more welcomed and seen can create a huge difference in their life.
Nearly 1 in 5 parents(19%) say their child has no friends or not enough friends, while 90% say their child would like to make new friends. One in five doesn’t sound like a lot, but in the average classroom, there are about 32 students, which means about four of those students may not have any friends at all. Keeping people together and connected is important, especially in a world where they can have everything a click away in their pocket.
As previously said the high school students could volunteer if they wanted to, so what about the elementary kids? They could be chosen in a variety of ways.
If the advisor running the club knew of any teachers who taught in an elementary school, they could come up with a deal for select students to be entered into the group of younger students. Or if, for example, any student was going through something, maybe needed a buddy, or just a distraction from home life, they also would be considered.
The benefits of this program aren’t just for the younger students but the older students as well. Maybe if a person was looking into a career with children, it would help them have hands-on experience. Even with such a big age gap it could help both ages with social skills, such as how to talk to different aged people. While this program was great and helped a lot of students, sadly, it did end. Now, it’s not sure specifically why; one possibility is the advisor leaving.
If this program were to be brought back again, there would need to be an advisor/supervisor, who would have a lot of work added to their plate. As a child who was personally in this program, it gave me someone to look up to and talk to about things that may have bothered me.
Another reason for bringing back this program would be the chance to receive community service hours. Not only would it bring more attention to the program — meaning more kids get buddies- but it would also keep high school students on track to graduate. Earning community service hours is easy for most students, but a lot harder for those who are introverted, don’t have transportation easily, or don’t have much time outside of school hours.
Based on a poll sent out to the LSHS student body, 95.3% of students who responded had never heard of Big Viking Little Viking before. If there was more reach or attention to this and the possibility of community service, the club could be a great thing.
Underclassmen – If you are reading this and would like to bring this club back to life, find more students to participate and find an advisor!
