By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – A rhythmic chorus welcomed Creek View Elementary School students into the school’s auditorium on Sept. 25 as the Thompson High School drumline set the mood for the school’s celebration.

But the event wasn’t in preparation for any sports event. It was a celebration of the leadership qualities each student possesses, said CVES third-grade teacher Abbey Tipton.

“Today is called leadership day, because it’s an opportunity for you to be a leader,” Tipton told the school’s second- and third-graders. “We will work on service projects that will help people in Alabaster, here at Creek View and in some cases, all around the world.”

The assembly served to kick off the CVES leadership program for this school year, during which second- and third-graders will join one of several clubs based on their interests.

The 14 clubs touch on nearly every type of activity, and include clubs focused on fitness, games, photography, technology, arts and crafts, acting and performance, gardening and farming, team spirit, reading, culture, fishing, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), cooking and service.

After choosing a club, the students will complete service projects to help those in the community and, in some cases, students in Honduras through Alabaster City School’s sister school program.

“You are going to learn a lot of ways in your clubs to help others,” said CVES Assistant Principal Holly Alverson. “We want you to be a leader, join a club and make a difference.”

The club program is tied in with Creek View’s focus on Sean Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Happy Kids.” The book encourages children to be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand then to be understood, to synergize and to sharpen the saw, or to focus on mental and physical preparedness.

To help get kids excited for the program, the assembly featured several guests, including THS basketball coach Patrick Davis and a few members of the team, Alabaster School Board President Adam Moseley, ACS Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction Cena Davis, the drumline and more.

“I’m so proud of (CVES Principal) Mrs. (Charissa) Cole, the leadership team and teachers here for making this happen,” said ACS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers.