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Students honored; Jay Foundation ‘boot check’ program highlighted to board
Summary
Students and coaches were recognized for athletics and yearbook achievements, and seniors and staff presented a Jay Foundation/Sources of Strength mental-health program that includes 'self boot checks' and a planned community event; a grant will cover the coming year with sponsorships sought thereafter.
The Hot Springs County School District Board of Trustees paused to honor student achievements and to hear a student-led presentation about a mental-health program supported by the Jay Foundation.
Brandon Daramidi and other staff recognized Zach Hasty with a good-sportsmanship award and applauded the girls golf team — including Maddie Shaffer and Ruth Needham — for earning the program’s state championship. Coach Schaefer and yearbook coach Lyle Wiley also shared recent honors, including a state first-place award for the yearbook and individual design recognitions.
Students described participating in the Jay Foundation program and its 'self boot check' approach. Student presenter JC said the program creates opportunities for conversation: "With every pair of boots comes a conversation that would have never happened." Presenters said the senior class attended a Jay Foundation session in Casper that led to group commitments to perform regular check-ins; the district reported the program cost at about $12,000 for the year and said a grant will cover the coming year while sponsorships are sought to continue the work.
Board members asked for opportunities to observe the planned 'boot check bash' and praised sources-of-strength activities already in the district. Trustees and staff emphasized that the program’s aim is to normalize peer check-ins and to give students tools to ask for help.
What’s next: Sources of Strength leaders and student organizers plan an outdoor 'boot check bash' when weather permits, and the board asked administration to keep trustees informed about scheduling and sponsorship needs.
