Prospect Ridge Academy takes pride in its vision of creating academic, social and ethical leaders. And while many students find their opportunities to lead and create change in the years that follow graduation, sometimes an opportunity to lead can come much sooner than that.
For a quartet of PRA Middle School eighth graders — Lucy Bote, Keira Wulf, Kylah Samarel and Charlee White — they saw an opportunity to lead and create change in the spring of 2024. It was their initiative that put in motion the new Middle School Dress Code, which came to fruition this past June when it was approved by the PRA Board of Directors.
Bote, Wulf, Samarel and White approached K8 Dean, Brandi Partin, at the end of their sixth grade year with the idea for change. They identified areas of the dress code they felt were outdated, restrictive or inconsistent after discussing the topic with their peers.
The idea turned into action during the 2024-25 school year as the four Miners took their suggestions to the middle school student council, PRA staff members and finally the Board of Directors. Their recommendations included allowing a wider variety of colors and styles, updating guidelines and shorts and skirt lengths, as well as expanding the use of spirit wear.
These changes allowed middle school students to take more ownership of their dress code, prior to entering their high school years. It allows for more freedom of expression, while still maintaining a standard of neatness, comfort and individuality.
“This is how you make change,” Partin said. “You speak up and persist. That is what these Miners have done to help build a legacy for their peers and PRA. I am so very proud of them!”
The new PRA Middle School Dress Code was officially approved on June 12 of this year. A result of inspiring student advocacy, spearheaded by Bote, Wulf, Samarel and White living the PRA vision.