Shaping a school community
“It's much more fun and meaningful to be a part of the school when you know the people and the community.”
Mrs. Jill Russell is the 2018-19 Parent Teacher Student Association President. She oversees all formal interactions between the people of Leesville and ensures that things flow throughout the community. Parents, teachers, and students all communicate with her on a daily basis as she works to keep the school at its best. Her personal side is something that people who work with her see much less of.
An avid volunteer, a preschool teacher, and a supportive parent of two high schoolers, Russell is undoubtedly a role model to many. Although she spends a large portion of her time with Leesville, she spends her free time with family and at Soapstone United Methodist Church. She enjoys traveling and attending sports games, as Russell’s entire family are major University of Oklahoma fans. No matter what she is doing, Russell loves having a positive attitude and spending quality time with anyone willing.
An avid volunteer, a preschool teacher, and a supportive parent of two high schoolers, Russell is undoubtedly a role model to many. Although she spends a large portion of her time with Leesville, she spends her free time with family and at Soapstone United Methodist Church. She enjoys traveling and attending sports games, as Russell’s entire family are major University of Oklahoma fans. No matter what she is doing, Russell loves having a positive attitude and spending quality time with anyone willing.
A parent leader
As the president of the PTSA, Russell has many responsibilities to fulfill. This includes, but certainly isn’t limited to, overseeing the board of the school organization, maintaining the budget for LRHS, and assisting the staff and students of Leesville. She spends time at the high school at least once or twice a week, from giving speeches to dropping off donuts.
Russell has always been a volunteer, previously holding positions on the PTA boards of Underwood Elementary and Martin Middle. As an outgoing, extroverted person, she loves spending time helping others and meeting new people. She has implemented these qualities at Leesville by participating in the PTSA as well as creating the student PTSA board for the school last year.
From before the school year begins to after it ends, Russell spends time working with the community in order to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for every person. “I help with all the hospitality events for the teachers. I lead all the board meetings. I helped host the presidential volunteer service award ceremony. I will hand out The PTSA scholarships at the graduation assembly,” said the president. Russell also assists with fundraising, selling spirit wear, and organizing celebrations for honor roll students.
Regardless of the specific task, the president of the PTSA loves working in the community and developing relationships with the people of Leesville. Russell is willing to work with anyone when they need assistance and to lend a helping hand to those in need.
As for why she gives so much effort to the school, Russell said, “I volunteer for the betterment of our kids and our school and the encouragement to our teachers and staff.”
Russell has always been a volunteer, previously holding positions on the PTA boards of Underwood Elementary and Martin Middle. As an outgoing, extroverted person, she loves spending time helping others and meeting new people. She has implemented these qualities at Leesville by participating in the PTSA as well as creating the student PTSA board for the school last year.
From before the school year begins to after it ends, Russell spends time working with the community in order to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for every person. “I help with all the hospitality events for the teachers. I lead all the board meetings. I helped host the presidential volunteer service award ceremony. I will hand out The PTSA scholarships at the graduation assembly,” said the president. Russell also assists with fundraising, selling spirit wear, and organizing celebrations for honor roll students.
Regardless of the specific task, the president of the PTSA loves working in the community and developing relationships with the people of Leesville. Russell is willing to work with anyone when they need assistance and to lend a helping hand to those in need.
As for why she gives so much effort to the school, Russell said, “I volunteer for the betterment of our kids and our school and the encouragement to our teachers and staff.”
Q&A with Arijit Jatkar, Leesville junior
Q: What is your role working with the PSAT?
Q: What is it like to work with Ms. Russell? Q: Why is Ms. Russell fit the role of being president of the PTSA? |
A: I am part of the Junior Class Council, so I worked very closely with Mrs. Russell, primarily during homecoming period. She helped to organize all of the plans and oversee our activities in preparation for the parade and pep rally.
A: Working with Mrs. Russell is fantastic! She is so kind, and somehow is always one step ahead of everyone. A: Mrs. Russell displays a joy with working with students alongside the staff to make Leesville a better place. She connects very well with high school teenagers. |
Creating a community
PTSA is short for Parent Teacher Student Association. As a nationwide organization, more and more high schools have begun to create a conglomerate of PTSA groups. The association promotes giving all parts of the school an equal voice in important decisions. The group’s mission statement reads, “PTA’s mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.”
At Leesville, the PTSA holds monthly meetings to discuss the school budget, review upcoming events within the school, and organize future plans for Leesville. Among a board of 11 people sits Jill Russell, in the president position. Every day, Russell completes her duties with a strong passion to enrich and unify the community of the school. Not only does she work to bring the people of Leesville together, but also to further benefit the lives and educations of every student of the high school.
Russell’s definition of community is “a group of people working together to reach a common goal and create [something] tight-knit connected and supportive.” Although students, families, and faculty at Leesville come from many different locations, the school is something that every person has familiarity with. Russell’s actions all have the intent of making the high school a place that welcomes everyone.
The president said that she truly hopes that the PTSA has a positive impact on the community of Leesville. The board’s plans keep everyone’s best interests in mind, further offering a sense of equality and a voice to all that choose to participate.
Incorporating the students as well as creating their own student board is another way that Russell has given an equal voice to an essential component of Leesville. “I am so proud of those kids that have become a part of the board...I can only hope I’ve helped in some way,” said Russell.
Russell and the PTSA welcome anyone and everyone with a connection to Leesville. This way, all receive fair representation and treated with the same amount of respect. The warm invitation strongly builds hope and a communal sense among the staff and families. The PTSA holds teacher appreciation days throughout the year yet families are also given many opportunities to participate in Leesville events and grow closer to the other people of the school.
With a more specific focus on helping hard-working teachers, the PTSA assists with many of the benefits. The organization provides substitute pay for teachers while they attend workshops to better their instruction techniques. PTSA members also hold classes for teachers to teach about mental health. People often look over teachers when accounting for those with lots of stress in their lives, yet the job requires an extremely enduring personality. The Parent Teacher Student Association creates an effort to make the staff feel that their work is not just a job but instead a place where teachers receive respect.
For Russell, the PTSA has brought her closer to the community as she hopes it does for others. She said, “I feel more connected to the school and have met lots of parents and teachers.” The organization is a great way to have an influence on the surrounding community but is also a method of meeting new people, both staff and families. To get involved with the association, membership applications are available on the Leesville website. No matter the connection a person has to the school, there is a place for them with the PTSA. Visit the Leesville PTSA website for more specific information about joining the association and becoming closer to the LRHS community.
At Leesville, the PTSA holds monthly meetings to discuss the school budget, review upcoming events within the school, and organize future plans for Leesville. Among a board of 11 people sits Jill Russell, in the president position. Every day, Russell completes her duties with a strong passion to enrich and unify the community of the school. Not only does she work to bring the people of Leesville together, but also to further benefit the lives and educations of every student of the high school.
Russell’s definition of community is “a group of people working together to reach a common goal and create [something] tight-knit connected and supportive.” Although students, families, and faculty at Leesville come from many different locations, the school is something that every person has familiarity with. Russell’s actions all have the intent of making the high school a place that welcomes everyone.
The president said that she truly hopes that the PTSA has a positive impact on the community of Leesville. The board’s plans keep everyone’s best interests in mind, further offering a sense of equality and a voice to all that choose to participate.
Incorporating the students as well as creating their own student board is another way that Russell has given an equal voice to an essential component of Leesville. “I am so proud of those kids that have become a part of the board...I can only hope I’ve helped in some way,” said Russell.
Russell and the PTSA welcome anyone and everyone with a connection to Leesville. This way, all receive fair representation and treated with the same amount of respect. The warm invitation strongly builds hope and a communal sense among the staff and families. The PTSA holds teacher appreciation days throughout the year yet families are also given many opportunities to participate in Leesville events and grow closer to the other people of the school.
With a more specific focus on helping hard-working teachers, the PTSA assists with many of the benefits. The organization provides substitute pay for teachers while they attend workshops to better their instruction techniques. PTSA members also hold classes for teachers to teach about mental health. People often look over teachers when accounting for those with lots of stress in their lives, yet the job requires an extremely enduring personality. The Parent Teacher Student Association creates an effort to make the staff feel that their work is not just a job but instead a place where teachers receive respect.
For Russell, the PTSA has brought her closer to the community as she hopes it does for others. She said, “I feel more connected to the school and have met lots of parents and teachers.” The organization is a great way to have an influence on the surrounding community but is also a method of meeting new people, both staff and families. To get involved with the association, membership applications are available on the Leesville website. No matter the connection a person has to the school, there is a place for them with the PTSA. Visit the Leesville PTSA website for more specific information about joining the association and becoming closer to the LRHS community.
To learn more about how the Leesville PTSA helps the school and how you can become involved, refer to the following contact information.
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Photos used by permission of Jill Russell
Dedicated to the community
“It’s so simple to just get involved with volunteering… it’s so easy to go out and serve soup or go and talk to someone about their day.”
Paul Fearn is a Raleigh resident and originally from England. Paul has two daughters, one who recently graduated Leesville and attends Appalachian State University, running track there. His other daughter is a junior at Leesville Road High School and plays soccer in the NCFC program. In his spare time, Paul is a huge fan of soccer, Liverpool, and golf.
He now has invested a majority of his time in assisting Stefan Youngblood in the program When Grace Happens. The program routinely involves its volunteers in numerous organizations such as The Salvation Army, Helping Hands Ministry, Oak City Outreach and the Raleigh Rescue Mission.
Through Journey Church, he has become involved with different groups that deal with subjects such as divorce, homelessness and abuse. These groups would get together and work on projects, lending their time to different outreach groups within the community.
He now has invested a majority of his time in assisting Stefan Youngblood in the program When Grace Happens. The program routinely involves its volunteers in numerous organizations such as The Salvation Army, Helping Hands Ministry, Oak City Outreach and the Raleigh Rescue Mission.
Through Journey Church, he has become involved with different groups that deal with subjects such as divorce, homelessness and abuse. These groups would get together and work on projects, lending their time to different outreach groups within the community.
Sharing a love for soccer
Paul Fearn has always involved himself in volunteering. Fearn began his experiences with coaching girls soccer for around ten years. From teaching soccer to girls aged eight to 18, Fearn recently became involved with Journey Church. This was a turning point for Fearn, who could not find a church which really made him felt engaged and understand what is being said and taught. From not being involved with faith communities, Fearn shifted to having a deep understanding for the workings within the community through church groups that deal with outreach.
Paul Fearn’s love of soccer has always played a factor in the prospect of coaching younger kids on how to play. As a coach for girls U18 challenge soccer currently within the NCFC program, Fearn dedicates two days a week to practices and his weekends to either tournaments or games. While he did coach his two daughters during their younger years within the soccer league, he has since moved on and now coaches other girls who are striving to make their high school teams or simply enjoy the game.
Fearn strays from a stereotypical strict coach, and while tries to maintain control over the team, is encouraging and emphasizes the fun within soccer. Throughout the off season, Fearn has gotten together with another coach to help out with a younger lower level team and provide insight and skills for the younger players.
While it is daunting to undertake responsibility on a new team, the first few practices and days learning names were challenging. Uncertainty on whether the girls would be receptive towards him was a huge concern. He was able to find that uncertainty to be false, with girls he never expected to like him, approaching him for help on learning certain skills.
“Coaching for me is very rewarding and a pleasure to teach soccer…watching the platers get better by learning the game and also teaching them to respect the other teams is amazing,” said Fearn. Fearn’s over ten years within the soccer field is not slowing down and he hopes to arrange a field day for many young children at the local shelters in Raleigh. The plan is to hopefully gain supporters for an event in spring of 2019 where children can experience a day to play sports and become exposed to what each sport has to offer and get out in the fresh air and have fun.
Being able to share knowledge and heart for such a popular game is what makes it all worth it, and in the end it’s something Fearn has proven successful and enjoyed for so long, and will continue to for years to come.
Paul Fearn’s love of soccer has always played a factor in the prospect of coaching younger kids on how to play. As a coach for girls U18 challenge soccer currently within the NCFC program, Fearn dedicates two days a week to practices and his weekends to either tournaments or games. While he did coach his two daughters during their younger years within the soccer league, he has since moved on and now coaches other girls who are striving to make their high school teams or simply enjoy the game.
Fearn strays from a stereotypical strict coach, and while tries to maintain control over the team, is encouraging and emphasizes the fun within soccer. Throughout the off season, Fearn has gotten together with another coach to help out with a younger lower level team and provide insight and skills for the younger players.
While it is daunting to undertake responsibility on a new team, the first few practices and days learning names were challenging. Uncertainty on whether the girls would be receptive towards him was a huge concern. He was able to find that uncertainty to be false, with girls he never expected to like him, approaching him for help on learning certain skills.
“Coaching for me is very rewarding and a pleasure to teach soccer…watching the platers get better by learning the game and also teaching them to respect the other teams is amazing,” said Fearn. Fearn’s over ten years within the soccer field is not slowing down and he hopes to arrange a field day for many young children at the local shelters in Raleigh. The plan is to hopefully gain supporters for an event in spring of 2019 where children can experience a day to play sports and become exposed to what each sport has to offer and get out in the fresh air and have fun.
Being able to share knowledge and heart for such a popular game is what makes it all worth it, and in the end it’s something Fearn has proven successful and enjoyed for so long, and will continue to for years to come.
Helping those in need
Throughout Raleigh, hundreds are homeless with every day being a trial in terms of finding where the next meal will come from and whether or not they can continue to stay in the same place for one more day. With the impending cold weather, volunteers are flocking to shelters and soup kitchens in order to help those out during the holiday season.
Fearn along with members of his church spend time at local shelters such as local women and children's shelters that house the local homeless in Raleigh. These shelters will provide access to food, clothing and a place to sleep. In many circumstances, these women are there anonymously, as a result of escaping situations that can concern assault and abuse.
Fearn has sat in on a couple of meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous and for abusive situations. The lessons he heard about some of the stories being shared were so out of mind, and unbelievable. Seeing that a majority of the people attending the AA meetings were women also shocked him. These meetings Fearn shares is so crucial to helping someone and giving them support through a troubling situation. Being able to sit in and listen to someone talk is a simple way to improve their day and also expand one’s own horizon in what goes on within the community.
A lack of young volunteers for events like these is troubling. The idea that the community especially the younger community either is not aware or not interested in participating in such a way to help out is a problem that can be easily fixed with motivation. Fearn explained the easy jobs young students can do to help out. Either spending time at a soup kitchen, or volunteering at a retirement home or even donating old clothes and books.
When shelters receive new shipments of clothes, they all scramble and want anything they can get. The amount of joy visible on their faces, Fearn shares, is remarkable. To think something as little as donating a shirt someone does not wear anymore to someone who could only dream of getting new clothes is the heart and soul of volunteering.
Fearn along with members of his church spend time at local shelters such as local women and children's shelters that house the local homeless in Raleigh. These shelters will provide access to food, clothing and a place to sleep. In many circumstances, these women are there anonymously, as a result of escaping situations that can concern assault and abuse.
Fearn has sat in on a couple of meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous and for abusive situations. The lessons he heard about some of the stories being shared were so out of mind, and unbelievable. Seeing that a majority of the people attending the AA meetings were women also shocked him. These meetings Fearn shares is so crucial to helping someone and giving them support through a troubling situation. Being able to sit in and listen to someone talk is a simple way to improve their day and also expand one’s own horizon in what goes on within the community.
A lack of young volunteers for events like these is troubling. The idea that the community especially the younger community either is not aware or not interested in participating in such a way to help out is a problem that can be easily fixed with motivation. Fearn explained the easy jobs young students can do to help out. Either spending time at a soup kitchen, or volunteering at a retirement home or even donating old clothes and books.
When shelters receive new shipments of clothes, they all scramble and want anything they can get. The amount of joy visible on their faces, Fearn shares, is remarkable. To think something as little as donating a shirt someone does not wear anymore to someone who could only dream of getting new clothes is the heart and soul of volunteering.
When Grace Happens
One of the major organizations Fearn is now involved with is called When Grace Happens, a local outreach group which devotes time and volunteers to help out the homeless in Raleigh. Through his local church, he connected with a man named Stefan Youngblood involved with the organization. Now, Fearn helps out weekly and dedicates his time to provide resources to the less fortunate within Raleigh and the surrounding areas.
The group began a few years back and has only continued to grow overtime. Youngblood and his organization attempt to garner attention and recognition towards hard times different people go through, and how one simple action can help someone and change his or her day.
When Grace Happens works alongside many recognizable charities and shelters throughout the Raleigh area, most recognizably The Salvation Army. Youngblood has built connections and created relationships with those he has encountered along the way to create a network and an outlet for those who want to help.
Fearn always wants to help out, no matter where he is, and when hearing about such an outlet for him to do just that through When Grace Happens, everything clicked. In the six months he has spent with the organization, he has embraced and spread the groups core message (as shown on their website): “The purpose of When Grace Happens is to extend the hope of the Gospel to the homeless, the broken, the under-resourced and the lost, in practical ways.” However, they encourage volunteers from all walks of life who may not be Christian.
The group began a few years back and has only continued to grow overtime. Youngblood and his organization attempt to garner attention and recognition towards hard times different people go through, and how one simple action can help someone and change his or her day.
When Grace Happens works alongside many recognizable charities and shelters throughout the Raleigh area, most recognizably The Salvation Army. Youngblood has built connections and created relationships with those he has encountered along the way to create a network and an outlet for those who want to help.
Fearn always wants to help out, no matter where he is, and when hearing about such an outlet for him to do just that through When Grace Happens, everything clicked. In the six months he has spent with the organization, he has embraced and spread the groups core message (as shown on their website): “The purpose of When Grace Happens is to extend the hope of the Gospel to the homeless, the broken, the under-resourced and the lost, in practical ways.” However, they encourage volunteers from all walks of life who may not be Christian.
One of the first times Fearn visited a play area for young children at one local shelter really impacted him. He described the place as being “dark and gloomy...not [being] fit for children." With that in mind, When Grace Happens gathered a team of volunteers together to repaint and brighten up the space for the shelter. Now a colorful room remains, decorated with rainbows and other murals along with a brand new play set for the children to use. The atmosphere became something completely new and lively for children who do not receive many new gifts or clothes, a huge thing for the young kids. The one instance exemplifies the core of When Grace Happens tries to accomplish.
The organization has a variety of supporters, from part time volunteers to dentists and barbers; When Grace Happens tries to give everyone the opportunity to succeed. The group chooses specific people or areas of improvement to focus on. This ranges from providing someone with dental care, to donating clothing and books to women and children’s centers, and to serving food at a food bank. One story highlighted on When Grace Happens’ website focus around a man who received new teeth after not visiting the dentist in over 30 years. The video emphasizes the gratitude and sheer amazement the man felt through such a generous gift.
The organization has a variety of supporters, from part time volunteers to dentists and barbers; When Grace Happens tries to give everyone the opportunity to succeed. The group chooses specific people or areas of improvement to focus on. This ranges from providing someone with dental care, to donating clothing and books to women and children’s centers, and to serving food at a food bank. One story highlighted on When Grace Happens’ website focus around a man who received new teeth after not visiting the dentist in over 30 years. The video emphasizes the gratitude and sheer amazement the man felt through such a generous gift.
The holiday season continually remains a particularly busy time for volunteering. As the temperatures drop and daylight shortens, those who experience homelessness endure difficult circumstances. The volunteers focus not on giving gifts or spending the holiday with their own families, but instead keep the holiday spirit among the needy alive by providing 14 Christmas trees to The Salvation Army for families who want to still enjoy Christmas.
The organization continues to inspire hope and faith among those who have no hope in what lies ahead. By reinforcing faith and religion, the group tries to help and encourage others who believe there is no hope and no change possible, a huge factor in improving the lives of many of the shelter residents. It encourages them to look for a job, as well as take action within the community and reshape their lives into something beyond their wildest dreams.
When Grace Happens will continue to expand their reach and their opportunities throughout the new year. With many projects in the works, they will always be in need of new volunteers to help on their events and volunteering opportunities. For more information, visit When Grace Happens’ website as well as contacting the information listed for Stefan Youngblood.
The organization continues to inspire hope and faith among those who have no hope in what lies ahead. By reinforcing faith and religion, the group tries to help and encourage others who believe there is no hope and no change possible, a huge factor in improving the lives of many of the shelter residents. It encourages them to look for a job, as well as take action within the community and reshape their lives into something beyond their wildest dreams.
When Grace Happens will continue to expand their reach and their opportunities throughout the new year. With many projects in the works, they will always be in need of new volunteers to help on their events and volunteering opportunities. For more information, visit When Grace Happens’ website as well as contacting the information listed for Stefan Youngblood.
If looking for learn more about When Grace Happens and Fearn's volunteering, please refer to the contact information below.
Photos used by permission of Paul Fearn
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