Mimi Strong, a junior at Lincoln East High School, has been a positive role model for her peers for as long as she has been a student at East. She is a busy gal with being involved in Hope Squad, Hope Squad National Council, show choir, theater tech, and unified sports. On top of her numerous activities in school, Strong also volunteers at Matt Talbot Kitchen every second Saturday of the month and works at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. She is also very involved in her church with being a youth group leader and spending her Sunday mornings with a group of kindergarten and first grade kids. As Strong has made a lasting impact on many people in this community, Hope Squad and Circle of Friends have also benefited greatly from her lasting impact.
During class periods four, five, and six, Strong, a third year member, spends her time with the Circle of Friends which is a club that provides students with opportunities to collaborate with students with special needs, making them feel included and a part of the East community. Like many people that join this club, Strong feels joy and happiness from spending time with her peers involved in the club.
“Being a friend for these kids is so important and amazing,” Strong said. “When you walk in the hallways and they give you the biggest wave or sitting in class and they come with a snack shack and see you. They wave and have a big smile. Making their days amazing and making them feel like they matter is why I do it. It’s because they are kind and genuine and deserve to feel loved at school.”
Another club that has impacted from Mimi Strong is Hope Squad. Hope Squad, a club that meets on Wednesdays after school in room 153, focuses on the mental health of students and provides an outlet for students struggling to get support. As many schools have put more emphasis on student’s having a healthy mind, Hope Squads around the Lincoln community and nation have become admired by the student body. This year, Strong, a third year member, was able to be a part of Hope Squad National Council. This gives the opportunity for over 45 Hope Squad students from around the country to represent their school, and show the impact they have made. Strong was the only student from Nebraska to attend the virtual meeting, representing LPS Hope Squad.
“Mimi is a strong advocate for kindness and acceptance and just a great job of making others feel included and feel like their voices are being acknowledged and heard,” Danielle Swanson, Hope Squad ambassador and Lincoln East social worker, said. “Once individuals receive that kindness, it is often a catalyst to other positive changes.”
Strong has demonstrated how to represent East High in a positive manner, creating a positive image for the school. Strong brings an energy and willingness to help to everything she does. Any student that wants to become a role model for the school should start with one thing: being kind to others.
“Being a role model motivates me to be a better person and be more ready for the future,” Strong said.
