Smith Middle Students Share Fun

Smith Middle Students Share Fun at Troy Union

For the second time this year, a group of student leaders from Smith Middle School took time out after their school day to visit with elementary students at a Troy Youth Assistance Youth Involvement Party. They gathered in the gymnasium at Troy Union, and set up board games and activities designed to engage the students. “The older students worked with the younger ones, developing peer to peer relationships,” said program organizer and Morse teacher Erin Keyser. And it was all in the name of fun, as groups of kids played Jenga, Trouble and Connect 4. Smith student, 8th grader Katie Prokup, was part of the original group who came out, and enjoyed seeing some of the same kids. “My counselor invited me, and I thought it would be a worthwhile activity to do,” said Prokup. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves, too.

After the games were cleaned up and put away, snacks were served, and then students were supplied with arts and crafts materials to make dog toys that would be distributed to the Michigan Humane Society. Then the big surprise: Officers from the Troy Police Department visited with some very special guests from the TSD K9 unit! “It was a wonderful opportunity for the middle school students to mentor younger students, everyone had a great time!” said Smith counselor Jennifer Hartenburg.

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PHOTOS: Courtesy of the Troy School District

Girls play Payday: L to R: Blessing Craft (TU 4th), Emily Kinaia (Smith 8th), Kate Prokup (Smith 8th), Amorie Kirk (TU 4th), Lilly Komon (TU 4th)

Kids play Connect4: L to R: Joshua Rias-Tribble (TU 5th), Omar Fouda (TU 3rd), Jackson Gresham (TU 4th), Brett Hartenburg (Smith 8th)

Kids Play Trouble: L to R: Maryam Shamoka (TY 3rd) Lucas Kleino (TY 3rd), Vadym Hladiy (TY 4th), Harrison Snow (Smith 8th)

TPD K9 Demonstration: Officers demonstrate with TPD K9 “Bruiser” while students look on