On Monday, July 29, Elko County School District held its first annual Hope Squad Retreat at Adobe Middle School. This retreat marks the beginning of a year-long commitment to mental health and peer support within our schools.
More than 70 students from grades 7-12, representing all middle and high schools in the district, received comprehensive training in suicide prevention, equipping them with practical skills to support their peers and connect them with the necessary help.
The all-day retreat, led by district counselors, social workers, staff, and volunteers, featured guest speaker Dionne Stanfill, a Spring Creek High School alum.
Students participated in bonding activities and breakout groups on topics such as “Breathwork,” “Building a Growth Mindset,” “Stress Management,” and “Creating a Positive Culture,” led by Troy Harris from Kairos Recovery & Behavioral Health, Maria Ruiz, and students from Adobe Middle School, Wells Combined School, and Elko High School. Additionally, students learned more about the program from last year’s squad leaders.
The trained students will share what they learned from the retreat with other students enrolled in Hope Squad courses throughout the district. Hope Squad is in its second year of operation at ECSD, having been adopted in the spring of 2023.
Thank you to community volunteers onsite to support students' mental health throughout the retreat: Jordan Ramirez with Arcadian Wellness, Rural Children's Mobile Crisis Response Team with Elko Rural Clinics, Sheri Markert and her two therapy dogs EZ and Justus, and Stephanie Davis Yoga.
We sincerely thank our generous food donors: Coldwell Banker, Chobani, Full Brand, Western Nevada Supply, Pepsi, Bonanza, and Elko Federal Credit Union, for donating t-shirts.
We also appreciate the invaluable monetary support from Garibaldi’s, the Garside Family, Sandoval Advisory Group, Ignite Life Chiropractic, Mattie's & Cool Beans, Emily Nielson, Rowena Holland, Crystal Pope, Pamela Nelson, Malea Young, Rebecca Mildren, and The Good Bite.
We would also like to thank PACE Coalition, Monte Carlo Apartments, the Reno Aces, Elko Broadcasting Company, Kristie Tacadina, and Kristen Madsen for raffle items and other items for our student participants, and Adobe Middle School for providing the venue.