Keystone Middle School hosts annual Day of Awesome

Keystone Middle School, 501 Opportunity Way in LaGrange, hosted the annual Day of Awesome event for its students.

Headed by the school’s You Belong group, Day of Awesome, which took place May 22, was a school-wide event to promote inclusivity and connect students together, according to Ian Gould, Keystone Middle School school counselor.

“Three years ago, I said let’s try this out, and it has evolved from there — this is our big day,” Gould said. “The kids have given a lot of the ideas about what they want.”

The event, which usually takes place outdoors, featured a variety of activities throughout the school for students to participate in when not in their classrooms, he said.

With the help of many contributions, the activities included a slushy machine, a photo booth, inflatables, beach ball volleyball, giant cup pong, cornhole, giant Jenga and many more.

According to Gould, each grade level had the opportunity to participate in the fun.

The students returned to their classrooms where each teacher had a designated activity.

“I think it’s a really, really fun event,” said 13-year-old Aurora Polosky, You Belong student ambassador at Keystone Middle School. “It’s a way to reflect on the year and our accomplishments.”

Over the last month or so, students were able to earn tickets as part of PBIS, or positive behavioral interventions and support, for good behavior, by following classroom rules or simply being kind to another student, Gould said.

Students had the opportunity to use their tickets as entries to win prizes, like local business gift cards or a Kendra Scott necklace, he said.

“What this day really brings is a lot of connectivity, that there are people who wouldn’t always go outside their cliques,” Gould said. “This day is for everyone; it’s a big community effort.”

The You Belong group is a collection of around 60 students and 15 student ambassadors who help make the school a better place to learn by including everyone through acts of kindness or activities, Gould said.

The Mental Health and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County, which has programs in a variety of local schools, created You Belong as a way to combat student loneliness, he said.

“I just wanted to include people; I know a lot of people around the school don’t really have friends or get left out all of the time,” said 13-year-old Hannah Fletcher, You Belong student ambassador at Keystone Middle. “I wanted to be one of those people to help out, and make everybody feel like they have someone to talk to and hangout with.”

Zoey Allen, 12, and a You Belong student ambassador at Keystone Middle, likes the program.

“People who aren’t normally friends are having fun together,” Zoey said. “I feel like this program has done a lot.”

According to Gould, many school employees, local businesses and organizations collaborated to bring prizes and activities to the students, including the school custodians and food service workers.

Partners included Becca’s Choo Choo, Beth Moore, The Lucky Penny Café, Carlisle Golf Course, Romeo’s Pizza LaGrange, The Bulldog Pub and Grille, Tiger Martial Arts, The Barn: Salon and Spa, Subway of LaGrange, the LaGrange Lions Club, GTO Spacewalk of Grafton, RAK Photobooths, Keystone Middle and High Schools PTA, parent volunteers, the MHARS Board, Jessica Jones and Mike Ferrer.