Spirit Day: High school basketball players teach leadership to students

HORSHAM >> There is a leader inside every student at Hallowell Elementary School. To hone those skills, Hallowell students participated in the annual “Be A Leader” Spirit Day on September 23.

Members of Hatboro-Horsham High School girls’ basketball team visited Hallowell to teach them the habits and values of great leaders by playing basketball. The high school players led the elementary students through a series of drills: dribbling, passing, throwing and shooting.

“Through these drills students learned how to work together to reach goals individually and collectively while demonstrating positive leadership qualities,” said Principal Steve Glaize. Meanwhile, HatboroHorsham High School cheerleaders encouraged the students and pumped up the positive energy for the day.

Students in grades K, 1 and 3 rotated through the stations for 45 minutes, followed by grades 2, 4 and 5.

In addition to the outdoor activities, students watched a special “Be A Leader” Spirit Day presentation in their classrooms. Teachers and students discussed icons like Ketanji Brown Jackson and Cesar Chavez, but also focused on the leaders found right inside Hallowell: the students themselves. They will consider the qualities of a great leader, the values that motivate them and the positive habits leaders abide by.

Students set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely) goals for at home and school, and then developed a plan to follow through and measure those goals. Ultimately, “Be A Leader” Spirit Day teaches all students that they are capable of leadership.

PHOTOS BY HATBORO-HORSHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT Hallowell students practice passing basketballs to each other.