I am incredibly proud to witness our 8th-grade students stepping into a powerful role within our school community this month. By volunteering to facilitate Leader in Me lessons for their peers in Rocket Launch, these students are putting civic leadership into real-world action. Rather than simply learning about the 7 Habits, they are living them—demonstrating that true leadership is rooted in service and the responsibility we have to one another.
By mentoring their classmates, these 8th graders are building a culture of mutual respect and accountability. They aren’t just teaching lessons; they are shaping our school’s future by modeling what it means to be an engaged, empathetic, and proactive citizen. It is inspiring to see our oldest students take ownership of our school’s mission and invest their time into the growth of others.
This system has proven to work because students are often more receptive to guidance when it comes from a peer they can relate to. Also, to teach a habit is to master it; our 8th graders are deepening their own understanding of the curriculum, which reinforces what the lessons are about.
Hannah Laswell
Rockcastle County Middle School
Rockcastle County Schools
8th Grade
