SUPPORTING AREA’S YOUTHS — Members of local Lions clubs have come together to support students at Buckeye Local Junior High School. Funds have been contributed toward the students’ Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports initiative, an effort to build momentum for good behavior. Those taking part include, from left, front, student recipients Emma Vitek, Sutton Monroe, Jaina Wade, Addison Brown, Robert Glauser, Kyan Sanchez, Kaiden Frank, Dane Devault and Stephen Cochran; and back, Brilliant Lions Club President Butch Ford, program coordinator Julianne Kuchan, Warren Township Lions Club member Evelyn Burley, Warren Township Lions Club Secretary Shari Gaul, Warren Township Lions Club member Danny McComb, Warren Township Lions Club Vice President Tom Thomas and Brilliant Lions Club Treasurer Ron Retzer. -- Contributed

CONNORVILLE — Local Lions clubs have come together to support students at Buckeye Local Junior High School, as the school takes part in its Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports initiative.

Principal Jason Kovalski explained Lions clubs from Adena, Brilliant, Dillonvale-Mount Pleasant and Warren Township have previously donated funding for the purchase of Dairy Queen gift cards, personal care kits and other items for students. This time, however, members will be helping to offer incentives for those who show good behavior through the PBIS program. The prizes will be awarded every month in an effort to build more momentum, according to Kovalski.

“I have always worked with Tom Thomas and Roger Warren from the Warren Township Lions Club,” Kovalski began. “We decided to do something different this year, however. Something that would last longer than a just gift at Christmas.”

“Tom contacted Second District Gov. Nina Cleaver and she put out the word and asked other clubs to donate,” he continued. “We’re using funds for tangible rewards for our PBIS system. We have a virtual class coin students earn for positive behaviors. Part of the tangible rewards have included trick-or-treating during flex time. Students wore costumes and trick-or-treated in the halls. We’re trying to do something every month.”

Other incentives will include a hot chocolate bar for the top class at Christmastime, a “Pop into New Year’s” popcorn and movie activity in January and a “Yeti or Not, We’re Ready to Read” drawing for Yeti items in February. Kovalski stated school PBIS Coordinator Julianne Kuchan is leading the program. He expressed his appreciation to Lions members for their continuing support.

“They have donated when we renovated the junior high gym and have been willing to serve,” Kovalski said of Lions clubs. “Every time I’ve needed help, they have never turned me down. I appreciate all they do for us.”

Thomas, who serves as vice president of the Warren Township Lions Club, said everyone was pleased to help.

“We always like to support education locally,” he exclaimed. “Every year we would give the students gift certificates to Dairy Queen. Jason had an idea with this program and it is wonderful to see the students and know that it is going well.”

Brilliant Lions Club President Butch Ford commented it is all part of the organization’s mission.

“It’s great,” Ford stated. “We’ve always supported the students at the school and that is what Lions do. We serve.”

Evelyn Burley, a member of the Warren Township Lions Club, and Secretary Shari Gaul said the group raises funds through tag days and a holiday drawing, which recently made its highest amount to date.

Gaul stated the clubs are there for the school, as well as the community, noting an Angel Tree was put up to gift holiday presents to students at Buckeye South. All Lions clubs also worked together to acquire a vision screening machine that will benefit pupils throughout the district.