North+Hills+Pride

**North Hills Pride**
On December 12 five Central seniors went to North Hills Elementary to help teach the children all a lesson.

However, the lesson was not taught in the “traditional” way. It consisted of a huge pep rally, complete with cheerleaders, the school band, and even a York Revolution baseball player, Jason Aspito to pump up the kids.

The assembly began with Principal Kevin Youcheff discussing North Hills PRIDE, which is showing a positive attitude, responsibility, getting involved, accepting diversity, and being empathetic. The students had earlier watched a video discussing the problem with bullying, and showed the big consequences for bullying someone.

The assembly continued with high school cheerleaders and the school band dancing and playing to the school fight song. After, the seniors from the high school stood up and gave the students their positive messages.

The moral of their speech was to study and pay attention to schoolwork now, so you can succeed later in life. They also made clear that getting involved now is a very important part, because you can make friends and find something you really like.

The high school students were chosen by Assistant Principal Eugene Washington to come to North Hills for an anti-bullying assembly.

TJ Shaffer, one of the seniors involved, said he decided to come because he wants to see young kids growing up with a safe learning environment. He says the kids will get the message to get involved in something you really enjoy, and to keep hitting the books.

He does not remember anything like this when he was in elementary school, but he thinks it is a good plan. “I think it’s a great idea to start them while they’re young,” he says.

Shaffer says he thinks the kids got a lot out of this opportunity, “They know the steps they need to pursue, like studying and treating others the way they want to be treated.” he says.

Nathan Raver, a sixth grader who plays in the band, attended the assembly. He says it taught him a lot, “I learned that playing in the band during pep rallys is really exciting, and its fun performing in front of people. And I also learned North Hills Pride.”

Jeff Deffinbaugh, a fifth grade teacher at North Hills, said the assembly reminded the students that we are all on the same page. He says that the students have class meetings about bullying, and it reinforced what they already know.

Shaffer says, “It’s important for us to try to be role models to younger kids. They should say, ‘I want to be like them.’”

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