by Haley Smith and Deja Taylor
The administration introduced something brand new after spring break—Draft Day.
Using the theme of the professional draft for athletes, administrative intern Domonique Butler drafted 30 male students, grades nine through 12, to participate in a day of mentoring, relationship building and making positive first impressions.
“The purpose of draft day was to put male students who are identified as being at risk for maybe not being successful at Varina High School with students who are already successful at Varina High School together in one space so that they can share their experiences along with coaches and mentors that actually work at Varina High School,” Ms. Butler said.
Associate Principal Robert Turpin said that Ms. Butler came up with the idea to work with students who may otherwise be unnoticed.
“Everyone has a story to tell, and I think we need to do a better job of students connecting with an adult,” Mr. Turpin said.
Draft Day mentors included 12 Varina staff members, Mr. Turpin, school board member John Montgomery and physical trainer Michael Murphy.
Mr. McAllister said that mentors wanted to be sure the young men know there is someone at school who cares about them and wants to teach them to be responsible.
Ms. Butler worked to pull together Draft Day in approximately a two-week span.
“To me, it went off beautifully. It was as if we had planned it from the beginning of the year,” Ms. Butler said.
Sophomore Noah Bowery said it was easier to pay attention on Draft Day because girls could not attend.
“We could focus on each other and not other things,” Noah said
To select the participants, Ms. Butler worked with school counselors and the administrative team. Then, Ms. Butler delivered draft letters to all 30 participants.
“When I received my letter, I was shocked because I wouldn’t expect myself to be picked for something like that,” Noah said.
Junior Parrish Hall said he was in AP Biology when he received his letter from Ms. Butler and was curious because he didn’t know what to expect.
The agenda included learning the history of the handshake, the proper method for tying ties, working together without talking to piece together a puzzle and keynote speeches from both Mr. Turpin and Mr. Murphy.
Senior Billy Stoneman said that he really liked the theme of the event and the activities in which he was able to partcipate.
“[Draft Day] was a good learning and teaching environment kind of thing. It taught leadership in young males at Varina High School,” Billy said.
Mr. Turpin said his speech was about beginning and maintaining relationships. The focus of his speech was to leave Varina High School better than when the student first arrived.
“It’s all about building that relationship,” Mr. Turpin said.
Mr. McAllister said one young man that he’s known for a while has “brought his behavior down to a minimum.”
Noah said that Mr. Turpin’s speech taught him that he can change his life for the better at any moment.
“I don’t talk back to my teachers anymore, and I go home and study chemistry every night now.”
From Mr. Turpin’s speech, sophomore Abram Waller said he learned that speakers must own the room and try to feel comfortable.
“I would recommend Draft Day to any guy. You know it doesn’t matter whether you’re an athlete or not. I’m not an athlete, but it still benefited me,” Abram said.
Parrish said that he made new friends at Draft Day.
“I definitely recommend others to go to it. I would say that you learn a lot about interaction with other guys or just other people in general,” Parrish said.
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