MONROE — The Northside Young Leaders are dedicated to fostering positive change within our school and the broader community. The mission is rooted in service and sustainability, demonstrated through a variety of impactful projects this year:

● Unity Day: Created a “Kindness Chain” to symbolize our school’s strength in diversity.

● Community Service: Spent afternoons raking lawns for neighbors in need.

● Student Support: Shared snacks and encouragement to spread positivity during testing week.

● Sustainability: Hand-crafted pet toys for the local Humane Society using recycled materials.

Growing a Greener Future

The Northside Young Leaders’ most recent project — planting a native pollinator garden — is just the beginning of a larger vision. They believe outdoor classrooms are vital spaces where students can disconnect from screens and reconnect with the natural world.

“We are incredibly grateful to SSM Health and The Bruce Company for supporting this dream,” said Ethan Anderson, Northside and Abraham Lincoln Elementary School Counselor. “Their generous donation of a stunning Autumn Blaze Maple tree serves as the centerpiece of our green space. This tree will offer shade and joy for generations, allowing students to return years from now to see it grow — a living reminder of their time at Northside Elementary.”

Through these efforts, Anderson said the Northside Young Leaders hope to inspire everyone to step outside, appreciate the beauty of nature, and carry the lessons of leadership and kindness with them wherever they go.