On April 3, members of Connetquot High School’s Athletes Helping Athletes program visited fifth graders at John Pearl Elementary School to discuss their own personal and positive experiences. The Athletes Helping Athletes Club visits fifth grade classrooms across the district three times per year, talking to their younger peers about everything from transitioning to new buildings to teaching leadership and team building to joining extracurriculars. This year, there are about 50 students participating in the program.

The Athletes Helping Athletes Program has been in the Connetquot Central School District for more than 20 years. Students in grades 10-12 are recommended by current members and are required to get a recommendation from both a classroom teacher and a coach or adviser in the spring. The following fall, those students are interviewed by the advisers to learn more about them and their commitment to the program and its message.

Students in the program are required to attend three trainings at the high school and/or Adelphi University given by islandwide program coordinators, including several former pro-athletes. Additionally, students are required to attend a follow-up evening training given by the advisers to reinforce what they’ve learned.

The high schooler’s first visit involves ice breakers to get the fifth graders comfortable. They tell personal stories and talk to the fifth graders about getting involved in school activities and how it has positively affected them.

During their second visit, they spoke to the fifth graders about sportsmanship, bullying and civility toward others, using scenarios to reinforce the message. Lastly, they tell personal stories and talk to the younger students about abstinence from drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

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Date Added: 4/10/2024