"Senior Shout Outs" Start Each Day At Valley Regional High School

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — We can all agree that being a high school senior in the midst of a world wide pandemic is not an ideal situation and the seniors at Valley Regional High School have persevered, pivoted, flexed and positively pressed onward during a scary, disruptive, crazy year of school. As a way to hold them up and highlight their strengths in and outside of school, Math teacher and Yearbook Advisor, Kim White came up with the idea to do a, "Senior Shoot Out" each day, during morning announcements.

"This has been an extremely positive thing for our students," said VRHS principal Mike Barile. "This is a successful, positive way to recognize our students for all the good things they do and it has been very special for them."

White sends out a list of which seniors will be highlighted that week and the teachers all write in good things about the students and any additional information about the students they know, such has; likes, volunteer work, sports involvement, jobs, hobbies, etc. Each morning two "Senior Shout Outs," are given during morning announcements which are read by VRHS assistant principal Carolyn Gbunblee.

"It has been so nice to see what teachers say about our students and it really shows what a great relationship our teachers and students have with one another," said Gbunblee.

She added, "This has been a great new addition to our morning announcements for everyone. It's a way for all the students to get to know more about each other and to learn about others in a different way."

This new social and emotional positivity for the students is something that Barile praises highly and the hope is to continue the practice of "Senior Shout Outs," into the future, even when Covid-19 has passed.

"It's another great way to celebrate our students for all that they do in and out of school," said Barile.

Click here to subscribe to our daily email newsletters and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices for free. You can also support local journalism by donating as little as $5 a month to become a supporting member or by downloading our free Patch mobile app.