ELEVATE

School:: South Walton High School
Subject:: Low Performing Students
Teacher:: Kevin Weaver
: Kristan Shroyer
Students Impacted:: 50
Grade:: 9-12
Date:: September 19, 2025

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

The St. Joe Community Foundation - $2,000.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 50

This group was put together based on recommendations by their varsity coach. I asked each coach to pinpoint student-athletes on their respective teams who possessed leadership qualities, in an attempt to develop those leadership qualities, so that they could better lead themselves and their peers. I believe this was accomplished through this program and this grant. We met with students bi-weekly through both small group sessions and full group sessions. Leadership was the focus of all sessions.

The mission with ELEVATE is to help student-athletes become better leaders—not just on the court or field, but everywhere else. We focused on building confidence, character, and connection so these young people can lift others up, stand strong in tough moments, and shape teams and communities they believe in. We gave student-athletes a safe space to talk openly — about mistakes, mindset, respect, and what it takes to be a leader. They went from talking about bad energy (body language, social media, bad-mouthing) to practicing how they respond, intervene, and fix things.We turn conversations into action. We helped leaders lead: not by giving titles, but by helping each student see what their leadership style is, where they’re strong, and what to grow. A direct result of this was a boost in school and team culture. When athletes grow in these traits, it ripples—better respect, fewer conflicts, stronger trust among teammates and with coaches. We reached beyond the sports field: leadership shows up in classrooms, in homes, in service. We were focused on helping build citizens, not just players.

The objective of the ELEVATE Leadership Program was to equip South Walton High student-athletes leaders with the skills, confidence, and character needed to become effective leaders on and off the field. The program provided structured opportunities for self-reflection, scenario-based learning, and group dialogue that strengthen team culture, improve resilience under pressure, and foster accountability. I firmly believe that these objectives were met through this program and the support from the grant.

The one thing that was not achieved was the Leadership Symposium. Though well-planned, a scheduling conflict kept us from hosting this event. I firmly believe that this event would have been a lasting memory for these student-athletes for years to come, but unfortunately we were unable to accomplish this for this school year.

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Guest Speaker - Will Reiben

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Qualities of ELEVATE Leaders

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Guest Speaker - Kevin Beavers

Original Grant Overview

Goal

The ELEVATE Leadership Program is designed to strengthen student-athletes’ ability to lead, communicate, and stay accountable—skills that directly translate into the classroom and across campus.

Need: Many student-athletes are placed into leadership roles on their teams or among their peers without structured training. As coaches, we often find that these student-athletes are not equipped for these leadership roles. The issues these young people face within their teams could be poor body language, conflict, or misplaced priorities, that not only affect athletics but also spill into the learning environment.

Objectives: ELEVATE provides structured leadership sessions that guide student-athletes through self-reflection, scenario-based learning, and group dialogue. The program develops confidence, composure, character, and accountability, while equipping students with strategies to manage pressure, resolve conflict, and encourage peers.

Impact on Achievement: By building these skills, students demonstrate greater self-discipline, stronger focus, and improved communication—leading to increased learning gains and proficiency. Students who see themselves as leaders are more likely to stay engaged in class, model positive behavior for peers, and apply problem-solving skills beyond sports. The result is a ripple effect: player-led leadership within their team settings, stronger classroom performance, a healthier school culture, and a more connected student body.

What will be done with my students

What will be done with my students?

Through the ELEVATE Leadership Program, students will participate in structured leadership sessions designed to develop confidence, composure, accountability, and character. Activities will include self-evaluations, scenario-based discussions, peer collaboration, guest speaker engagement, and guided reflection. Students will also receive leadership journals and program materials that allow them to track progress throughout the year.

Project Timeline (2025–26 school year):
August–September: Baseline leadership self-evaluations and distribution of program materials; introduction of program objectives.

September–December: Eight structured leadership sessions focusing on communication, team culture, accountability, and resilience. Guest speakers will be incorporated into sessions where appropriate.

January–April: Four to six additional leadership sessions, building on the first semester with deeper focus on conflict resolution, leading under pressure, and servant leadership. Ongoing reflections and peer feedback will track growth.

April-May: Culminating Leadership Summit, bringing together all participants to share lessons learned, celebrate growth, and set goals for continued leadership beyond athletics. This will include a keynote speaker to speak on the importance of leadership and character.

By the end of the 2025–26 school year, students will show measurable gains in leadership confidence, improved peer collaboration, and stronger personal accountability—all skills that directly support both academic success and school culture.

Benefits to my students

Benefits to My Students

The ELEVATE Leadership Program directly supports student achievement by equipping student-athletes with the personal and interpersonal skills that strengthen focus, discipline, and resilience—traits that directly carry over into academic performance.

How the project supports achievement and project goals:

Students learn to manage pressure, improve composure, and build confidence, which leads to stronger classroom engagement and perseverance with challenging coursework.

Emphasis on accountability and teamwork helps students improve communication, problem-solving, and collaboration—skills tied to higher learning gains and proficiency.

By addressing behaviors such as negative body language, misuse of social media, and prioritizing individual goals over collective success, the program creates more positive learning and team environments.

Measurement and Evaluation:
Pre and Post-Evaluations: Students will complete a leadership self-evaluation at the start and conclusion of the program to measure growth in areas such as confidence, character, and composure.

Session Reflections: Students will complete short written reflections after each leadership session, documenting learning takeaways and personal growth.

Facilitator Observation: Coaches and teachers will monitor improvements in student leadership, focus, and behavior in both academic and athletic settings.

End-of-Year Leadership Summit: Students will present what they’ve learned, providing qualitative evidence of growth and achievement.

By the conclusion of the 2025–26 school year, students will demonstrate measurable growth in leadership confidence and accountability, translating into stronger academic focus, improved peer relationships, and a healthier overall school culture.

Budget Narrative

The requested funds will be used to provide essential supports that elevate the student experience and ensure measurable impact from the program.

Core Curriculum Materials – $500
Student-athletes will each receive leadership journals, self-evaluations, and reflection guides. These resources are critical for tracking personal growth, capturing reflections after leadership sessions, and measuring progress through pre- and post-program evaluations. By equipping every participant with structured materials, students are able to take ownership of their leadership development in a tangible way.

Branding Materials – $750
To create visibility and pride, students will receive branded items such as shirts or lanyards that identify them as members of the leadership program. These materials allow participants to represent the program among their peers, building credibility and a sense of belonging. This recognition also motivates students to carry their leadership role beyond athletics, into the classroom and school community.

Leadership Summit – $750
At the conclusion of the school year, students will participate in a Leadership Summit that serves as a capstone experience. This event provides a platform for students to share their growth, celebrate achievements, and hear from community leaders. It also reinforces accountability by asking students to articulate how they will apply their leadership lessons moving forward. The summit creates a powerful sense of closure and momentum heading into the next school year.

By prioritizing curriculum, visibility, and a culminating event, the budget ensures that students not only learn leadership skills but also experience the pride and recognition that drive sustained growth.