GRHS named Platinum Tier School of Distinction

Green River High School is once again receiving national attention for its commitment to school culture as well as its connection to the community. 

This year, the high school was named a Platinum Level School of Distinction at the annual Jostens Renaissance Global Conference.

Last year, GRHS reached the Silver Tier among distinguished schools, but this year the school reached the Platinum Tier, the highest honor that can be achieved. Only 21 schools across the nation earned the platinum level over the past school year. 

"They're looking to see what are you doing in your school that connects students to the community, that makes the community feel like they're part of the school, and that all collectively helps build that culture and climate in a positive way," Bradlee Skinner explained of the Jostens school of distinction awards. 

Skinner, a Theatre and Language Arts teacher at the high school, attended the Jostens Renaissance Global Conference with his wife, Melissa, who teaches at Washington Elementary School. The conference was held in Dallas, Texas this year and took place July 13 - 15. Skinner accepted the award on behalf of GRHS when the school was recognized at the annual awards event.

"It's a wonderful program to help foster the good things and showcase the great things that are happening in your schools," Skinner said. "So we were honored to be recognized by the Jostens company for the work that we do here at Green River High School, especially to be recognized on a national level."

Thousands of schools in the country are considered "Jostens schools" by being Jostens customers, purchasing items that can include caps and gowns, yearbooks, and more. Any Jostens school has the opportunity to be part of the Renaissance program, and can go through an application process to be considered as a school of distinction. 

GRHS started the application process at the beginning of the school year and had the opportunity to take note of positive things happening at the school as they took place. 

This year had some special highlights, such as the National Honors Society partnering with the City of Green River to get the new dog park open. Other community projects came from Green River FFA, which was also named a National 3 Star Gold Emblem Chapter for the second year in a row this year.

"The FFA program is an absolute all-star cast of students in leadership," Skinner said. "They do so much with service projects throughout the whole school year."

One of the projects FFA did was teaming up with the Welding Department to add a bench to the bus stop at Washington Elementary. 

"No one asks them to do that, they just do," Skinner said of the projects that student groups take on. "They do amazing things because they see how it helps students and the community." 

Not only does the platinum tier achievement reflect well on the students, but it also reflects the dedication of the educators.

"I think it shows that our teachers get it," Skinner said. "They understand what makes students successful, what makes school fun. And that's what they strive for. They recognize the value in educating students, but also being where they just enjoy what they do. I think students recognize when their teachers like their job, and they learn better in those environments."

Students being able to learn more effectively because of teacher engagement also helps continue the cycle of students connecting to their community. 

"Students that feel connected to their school tend to do better in school," Skinner said. "Students that tend to do better in school go on to become better valuable members of society."