Skip To Main Content

Spartan Sprouts: A new tradition takes root at Sun Valley High

A kindergartener from Shiloh Valley Primary looks up with a joyful smile at a Sun Valley High senior sitting beside him, while the senior smiles at the camera during the first Spartan Sprouts mentorship visit.
Spartan Sprouts: A new tradition takes root at Sun Valley High

Laughter and smiles filled the classrooms at Shiloh Valley Primary as Sun Valley High School seniors knelt beside their kindergarten “buddies” for the first time. The moment marked the launch of Spartan Sprouts, a new mentorship program connecting graduating seniors with incoming kindergarteners for a year of friendship, encouragement and community building.

A Sun Valley High senior sits on a colorful classroom carpet surrounded by several kindergarteners from Shiloh Valley Primary, smiling and interacting with the children during the first Spartan Sprouts mentorship visit.

The idea grew from a summer conversation between Sun Valley High Principal Dr. Mike Harvey and senior Addison Parker. Together with Shiloh Valley Primary Principal Lindsey Williams, they developed a program designed to bridge the two schools and generations in a meaningful way.

“Dr. Harvey wanted each senior to have a buddy to look up to them as their journey starts and ours comes to an end,” Parker said. “We wanted it to be something special, something lasting.”

Each senior arrived on Oct. 16 prepared, welcome letter or card in hand, ready to meet their new buddy. Many came with lists of fun questions to break the ice. Favorite color? Favorite food? Do you have any siblings? If you had a superpower, what would it be? The kindergarteners eagerly answered, often turning the questions back on their older mentors.

“We wanted to really get to know them,” Parker said. “They’re kindergarteners, so we kept it simple and fun, but it was amazing how much personality they showed right away.”

Some seniors sat with their legs crossed on the floor, reading aloud from storybooks. Others laughed with their buddies about favorite cartoons or swapped answers about what they’d want their superpowers to be. A few even practiced their Spanish with students in the dual language immersion class, finding unexpected common ground.

Throughout the morning, seniors handed out buttons to their buddies that read, “Our Journey Ends, Yours Begins.” The message reflected the heart of the program—seniors nearing graduation connecting with students just beginning their school experience.

“I think the best part was seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces,” said senior Sarah King. “It was such a wholesome, sweet moment, one that I’ll keep thinking about when I go to college. I hope the kindergarteners remember this day as they grow up.”

A Sun Valley High senior kneels to talk with a kindergartener from Shiloh Valley Primary at eye level, smiling as they get to know each other during the first Spartan Sprouts visit.

Student Body President Antoine Coleman said the visit stirred up fond memories.

“My buddy reminded me of things I used to do when I was younger, playing Mario, running around at recess,” he said. “It reminded me of the joy of just being a kid.”

The seniors aren’t stopping at one visit. They plan to stay in touch throughout the year with several events, including a holiday pizza party and gift exchange. Future ideas include reading sessions, sending notes of encouragement and even a field day filled with classic games.

“I don’t want this to be a one-and-done,” Dr. Harvey told students. “I want you to keep in touch, send notes, visit when you can and remind your buddy that they have a friend at the high school cheering them on.”

For Parker, helping organize the event was both a learning experience and a highlight of her senior year.

“There were a lot of meetings, emails and sign-ups to coordinate,” she said. “I learned how important communication and organization are and how powerful it can be when two schools come together.”

As the morning wrapped up, seniors and kindergartners posed for photos, tiny hands waving beside towering teens, all grinning from ear to ear as they said their goodbyes.

Spartan Sprouts started with an early morning visit, but its roots are already growing strong.

A group of young people, wearing mostly black clothing, are walking through a hallway with colorful tiled floors and windows.
The image shows a group of young women, some wearing casual clothing like sweatshirts and t-shirts, standing together in what appears to be a school or university setting, with lockers and other students visible in the background.
A young boy with curly hair is sitting at a desk, engaged in conversation with an adult wearing an orange shirt.
Two young women, one wearing a yellow shirt and the other a patterned dress, are standing in a classroom setting with various educational materials and furniture visible in the background.
A group of young children and adults are gathered in a classroom setting, engaged in what appears to be a learning or educational activity.
A young girl in a pink shirt is sitting at a table with a man in a blue sweater, who appears to be assisting her with something on the table in a classroom setting with colorful cubbies and shelves in the background.
The image shows a woman with long, dark curly hair assisting a young girl with what appears to be schoolwork in a classroom setting. The background includes various educational materials and displays on the walls.
A woman in a floral dress is sitting on the floor with a young girl, both engaged in an activity on a colorful play mat in what appears to be a classroom or daycare setting.
A woman in a white shirt is embracing a young child in a classroom setting, with other students and adults visible in the background.
A young woman in a green sweater is sitting at a desk, assisting a young boy in what appears to be an educational setting with various school supplies and materials visible in the background.
The image shows three students working together at a desk in a classroom setting, with various educational materials and decorations visible in the background.
The image shows a young woman in a pink outfit sitting on the floor with a young girl in a pink outfit, both engaged in an activity on the colorful floor tiles.
Two young children, a boy and a girl, are playing with colorful building blocks on the floor of a classroom. The background shows shelves filled with various educational materials and supplies.
A young woman in a Chicago Bulls jersey is sitting on the floor and interacting with a young boy in a classroom setting, with various educational materials and furniture visible in the background.
A woman is sitting on the floor with two young children, one of whom is handing her something while the other watches nearby. The background includes a rocking chair and a colorful truck-themed wall decoration.
Two young girls, one wearing a pink jacket and the other a striped sweater, are sitting at a table in a classroom setting with various educational materials and supplies visible in the background.
The image shows a smiling woman wearing a black t-shirt with a graphic design, standing next to a young girl wearing a gray shirt with a penguin graphic, in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting with shelves and supplies in the background.
The image shows a classroom setting with several students and an adult, likely a teacher, engaged in an activity or discussion. The foreground features a student sitting at a desk with a plush toy, while the background shows other students and the classroom environment.
A smiling man wearing a white shirt and a woman wearing a denim jacket stand together in what appears to be a hallway or lobby, with various people visible in the background.
Two young boys, one wearing a blue shirt with a cartoon character and the other wearing a sports jersey, are smiling and standing in what appears to be a classroom or daycare setting with shelves and storage containers in the background.