Hope Squad Retreat 2025

This month, students at Seneca Valley united for a powerful purpose: to spread kindness, support their classmates, and make a lasting impact through Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program aimed at reducing youth suicide through education, training and peer intervention.

To kick off the year, Hope Squad members in grades 9-12 met for a retreat on a beautiful fall day at Glen Eden Barn. The retreat consisted of various team building activities, training sessions and even a “positive pumpkin” activity. Students also enjoyed a delicious lunch generously provided by Back Home BBQ.

Hope Squad members are nominated by their peers as being easy to talk to, great listeners and naturally supportive of struggling students who are in need of a friend. This important suicide prevention program trains and mentors Hope Squad members to perform intentional outreach with fellow students. Hope Squad student members do not provide counseling or therapy; they instead serve as a connection to the help that is needed.

In its fourth year at Seneca Valley, approximately 80 students (grades 9-12) have been selected to be on the Hope Squad for the 2025-26 school year. In addition, the Hope Squad expanded to grades 7-8 at Ryan Gloyer Middle School (RGMS) in the spring of 2024.

We'd like to thank David and Vicky English, owners of Glen Eden Barn and Seneca Valley alumni, for graciously donating their venue for the Hope Squad retreat. They have stated that they strongly believe how important Hope Squad is to the students, school and the community. 

Visit Hope Squad to learn more. If you’re interested in sponsorship opportunities for Hope Squad, please contact Student Services Director Dr. Cassandra Doggrell, Seneca Valley Senior High School Assistant Principal Ms. Megan Lizewski or Seneca Valley Intermediate High School Assistant Principal Ms. Quincy Gildea.