RAPID CITY, S.D. (KELO) — Eighth Graders from Rapid City’s five public middle schools are learning real-life skills.

Friday, Elevate Rapid City hosted students from across the district for a Junior Leadership event at the Monument.

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It’s not your typical classroom, but these students are learning a lot. 

“The importance of a handshake, how to look people in the eye and have a conversation. That’s really vital all throughout their life think it will really help them stand apart too in their careers. We’re going to talk about decision-making. In life we’re going to have decisions to make and how do you walk through that, how do you make those decisions? And that plays into personal and professional life,” Elevate Leadership Institute Program Director Rachel Nelson said.

“We’ve worked on communication skills like public speaking and stuff like that. We kind of got help to learn about how we can talk in front of other people and how to not be so nervous about that,” RCAS 8th Grader Aurelia Urban said.

They’re everyday skills that will not only benefit students in school, but also in the future. 

“Let’s practice that and let’s kind of just hone in that skill so that way you don’t feel awkward. And you’ll notice less mistakes and you’ll feel more confident to make that impact,” 2023 Leadership Program Graduate Sam Harkin said.

Elevate wanted to work with 8th graders because it’s a pivotal time, as kids prepare to enter high school.

“So we really want to equip them with tools and confidence, so that they are ready to enter into high school. We put a lot of thought into it last year with lots of conversations and we just felt that this was a great target group and so this is our second year doing it,” Nelson said.

These middle schoolers also worked on resume building, power and soft skills and more communication skills to help them become better leaders.