Leadership Program Brings Out Heroes in Local High School Students

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. This school year, a number of Lacey Township High School students have been given the opportunity to become heroes to a younger generation through the Heroes and Cool Kids program.

The Heroes and Cool Kids program, established in 1998, is a non-profit organization that works with 12 school districts in nine counties throughout New Jersey.

Professional athletes act as trainers for high school students, who become examples to follow for middle school students.

Former NY Giants running back and Lacey Township native, Keith Elias, has been involved with Heroes and Cool Kids for 12 years.

Recently, Elias has worked with High School Principal William Zylinski and Mill Pond Principal Susan Gallagher to implement the program into the Lacey Township school district.

"I've been trying to think about the different schools that would benefit from it," said Elias. "As I've grown in the program, I wanted to get more schools involved."

According to Zylinski, the Lacey Boosters provided funding, allowing students to have access to the program beginning this past September.

The group of high school students, selected by LTHS teachers, consists of 40 sophomores and juniors.

"These kids represent Lacey, the community, and the high school well," said Zylinski. "They are a good example for the sixth graders."

Each sixth grade student in the Lacey Township school district will have access to the program.

According to Zylinski, there are three Lacey Township High School teachers working with the program this year acting as mentors for the high school students.

Lacey Township High School is satisfied with the program so far and the goals the heroes will focus on as the year goes on, Zylinski said.

"The students will inspire the sixth graders to strive to become good high school students, productive citizens, stay away from trouble, do all the things that are right and get the grades," said Zylinski.

Throughout the year, the Heroes involved will go through a series of three training sessions consisting of: choices and character, anti-bullying and sportsmanship, and substance abuse.

"It doesn't tie into any curriculum. It's the missing piece of the puzzle that kids are not getting in school--character education and making good choices," said Elias. "It's a peer-to-peer prevention program."

The trainers involved in the program consist of present and ex-professional athletes and will work with High School students, preparing them to meet with the sixth graders three times over the year.

"We have a complete set of trainers. I'm the one who's been working with Lacey, but we have about seven or eight other trainers," said Elias.  

When it comes to the success of Heroes and Cool Kids, Elias has no doubts in the effectiveness the program.

"I know it's been successful. The program works," said Elias."Having worked with it, I saw the power in motivating high school students to become mentors and role models to elementary school kids. It's really about helping kids make better choices and molding a new generation of leaders."