There are currently 90 USC students participating in the Big Rebel/Little Rebel Program. Above are mentor/mentee pair Josie Crawford, left, and Zander Getchell, right.

By housing its elementary and high schools in the same building, United South Central School District has a unique opportunity to cultivate a feeling of community among its students and staff.

In particular, USC staff are quick to point out the power of positive interactions between Rebel students of all ages.

USC High School students naturally become role models for their young peers, who observe the older students’ behavior in the hallways, watch them participate in sports activities and music ensembles and see them cheer for USC at pep rallies.

Beyond that, though, the younger students’ presence in the building is an important reminder to the high school students.

“They don’t want to disappoint the kids that look up to them,” Kayt Klemek, a USC High School counselor, summarizes.

Seeking to further increase opportunities for connection between elementary and high school students, the district founded the Big Rebel/Little Rebel Program over a decade ago.

As Jennifer Murphey, who has been a district social worker for 23 years, observes, “Our kiddos are our greatest strength. We have such a great resource – why aren’t we capitalizing on that?” 

Years later, the program is still a popular way for elementary and high school students to forge meaningful relationships during the school day.

“It’s basically a mentor program,” Melissa Haugh, a K-12 social worker at USC, says. “Those Littles sometimes need someone to pay attention to them – usually those students who don’t have that support at home, are struggling academically or feeling down.”

Once they are paired with a Big Rebel, Little Rebels meet with their mentor once a week to spend quality time together in the gym or common area, or on the playground when the weather cooperates.

The school has puzzles and games available for kids who like quiet activities, or sports equipment available for the active members of the bunch.

The Big Rebel/Little Rebel Program asks a year-long commitment of its high school mentors. Klemek, Murphey and Haugh start recruiting Big Rebels in September, but students are welcome to join the program at any point during the year.

Before becoming a Big Rebel, the high school students go through an extensive training process.

“We talk about what we’re looking for, and the time commitment,” Klemek says, adding that mentors are expected to remain positive role models for their Little Rebels throughout the school year.

During training, Big Rebels also discuss how to navigate complicated topics with their Little Rebel through role playing scenarios. They learn what they can say to help their Little Rebel through a tough time, and when to get an adult involved in a difficult situation.

Klemek, Haugh and Murphey take the program’s success seriously. They often specifically seek out high school students who they think would be a good addition to the program, or encourage USC staff members to refer students as Big Rebel candidates.

Murphey shares it can mean a lot to a high school student when an adult recognizes their potential and trusts them to be a role model for younger students. Often, those students are happy to become a Big Rebel when they are asked.

This year, the Big Rebel/Little Rebel Program has 45 pairs of students participating, with several Little Rebels still on the waiting list for a mentor.

“Ideally, if we could, we’d put every elementary student with a Big Rebel,” Murphey admits.

The younger students who sign up for the program discover it through a variety of means. Sometimes, they are referred by a teacher or parent. Other times, Little Rebels refer themselves simply because they think the program sounds like fun.

Little Rebel Keatonn Rodriguez, a first grader, says he joined the program because several of his siblings had their own Big Rebel mentors.

He was paired with his mentor, junior Blake Bullerman, a month and a half ago.

Keatonn, who enjoys playing soccer, football and T-ball, has connected with Blake - a four-sport athlete – through athletics.

“We both like sports, and we’re both really competitive,” Blake says, smiling.

The pair meets up every Wednesday, which has become Keatonn’s favorite day of the week.

Blake says he looks forward to playing sports with Keatonn once a week, who, he admits, “Always wins.”  

He adds that so far, he has really enjoyed his time as a Big Rebel.

“I like that it gets you more involved with the little kids, especially when they look up to you,” he says.

Seventh grader Josie Crawford, meanwhile, has been a Big Rebel mentor to preschooler Zander Getchell for three months now.

“He’s always open to doing everything,” Crawford says. When they meet every Wednesday, the pair likes to do crafts together and play sports.

“It’s fun to hang out with him and get to know him better,” Crawford says.

Klemek, Haugh and Murphey agree that Big and Little Rebels alike benefit from the program.

“It’s definitely a self-esteem and confidence booster on both ends,” Murphey says.

She concludes, “We want to instill in our kiddos a sense of giving back. We can do great things in this building for one another.”