Golden Eagle Outreach

Project Theme: Student Belonging

Years in Existence: 3

Target Audience and Location: Freshman at Central High School in Aberdeen, South Dakota

Mission: To cultivate student belonging by promoting team-building activities and service opportunities that help them learn about and connect with their community.

Project Description: Founding Scholar Breanna Wollman and educator Kerry Konda, both deeply involved in their school community, recognized that many incoming students struggled to find a sense of belonging when returning to in-person learning after the pandemic. In response, their project focused on fostering connection among first-year students through relationship-building activities coupled with community service opportunities. This year, student leaders are building on existing mentorship efforts by expanding Golden Eagle Outreach in partnership with Eagle Squad, a mentorship component, to better support incoming freshmen. Through increased student leadership and regular engagement in Super Study classrooms, the team plans to foster connection, reduce isolation, and help students build a sense of belonging from the start of their high school experience.