Ashley Flaherty of Youth Services System found a way to use music and art interests to connect with the students in the Lunch Buddies Groups. Many of the Lunch Buddies also participate in the Brooke Middle School Choir and Band, so the last discussion groups before Winter Break focused on Strengths and Talents. Through guided discussions from the Ripple Effects evidence-based program, students discussed skills such as teamwork, discipline, creativity, and confidence; all skills that are required in music and art. The group recognized that these same strengths and talents are used in other areas such as cooking, carpentry, computers, and mechanics. Students learned that discovering a passion and developing a strength or talent in something is not only meaningful in the present. It may also become something they build a future career on later in life, supporting long-term personal and emotional growth.
Brooke Middle School band