The Next Generation Has Something to Say: The Sports Girlie Tour Brings the Energy to Haile Selassie High!

The Elevate Diaries | Season 3: Elevate Everything

Location: Haile Selassie High School, Kingston, Jamaica
Series: The Sports Girlie Tour | Next Gen Series

There is something about walking into a school filled with young people that reminds you just how much personality, creativity and potential the next generation has to offer. Sometimes, all they need is the right environment to let it shine.

And if there is one thing Haile Selassie High School taught us, it is that these students are not afraid to show up and show out!

On November 5, The Sports Girlie Tour officially kicked off its Next Gen Series at Haile Selassie High School as part of Season 3, Elevate Everything. We came ready to share, inspire and have some fun, but I don’t think any of us anticipated just how much energy we would get in return.

From the moment the activities started, the vibes were GOOD, and somehow they just kept getting better.

Learning Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

One of the things we have always wanted to achieve with The Sports Girlie Tour is to create an environment where young people can learn without feeling like they are sitting through another lesson.

We know how important conversations about mental health, personal branding, character development, sportsmanship and making good decisions are, but we also know that how you deliver those messages matters just as much as what you say.

That is exactly why the Next Gen Series is designed to be interactive.

We wanted the students to laugh, think, challenge themselves, participate and, most importantly, feel comfortable being themselves.

Throughout the session, we incorporated games, discussions and activities that encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones while taking away lessons they could apply to their everyday lives.

And the students at Haile Selassie? They definitely understood the assignment!

Even the Teachers Got Involved!

Now, we have to give the teachers their flowers because they were not about to let the students have all the fun!

One of my favourite parts of the visit was seeing just how involved the teachers were. They encouraged their students, participated in the activities and brought their own energy to the session.

It was such a refreshing reminder that learning can be enjoyable for everyone, regardless of age.

There is something really special about seeing teachers and students laughing together, encouraging each other and simply enjoying the moment.

It made the entire experience feel less like a presentation and more like one big conversation, which is exactly the kind of atmosphere we want to create at every stop.

Three Words, One Mic and A Whole Lot of Talent!

If we had to choose one activity that completely stole the show, it would have to be our newest addition to the tour, the Elevate DJ Challenge!

The concept was pretty simple. Students were challenged to take three words inspired by the conversations and lessons from the day and use them to create their very own DJ performance.

Sounds easy enough, right?

Well, let’s just say we discovered some serious personalities at Haile Selassie High!

The creativity, confidence and willingness to participate made this one of the most entertaining moments of the entire visit.

What I loved most about the challenge was that it allowed students to take something educational and make it their own. They weren’t just repeating what they had heard. They were interpreting the lessons, adding their personalities and finding creative ways to express themselves.

And that is something we want to continue encouraging.

Not everyone learns the same way, and not everyone expresses themselves in the same way either. Sometimes, giving someone a microphone and a little creative freedom is all it takes to discover something special.

Safe to say, the Elevate DJ Challenge has officially earned its place on our list of favourite tour activities!

Two Elevate Awards? Absolutely!

Another highlight of the visit was getting to recognize two students with our Elevate Awards.

Yes, TWO!

The participation throughout the session was so impressive that we simply couldn’t settle on recognizing just one student.

The Elevate Award is one of the ways we celebrate young people who demonstrate confidence, enthusiasm, character and a willingness to get involved.

It isn’t necessarily about having all the right answers or being the most outspoken person in the room. Sometimes, it is about having the courage to try something new, putting yourself out there or encouraging the people around you.

At Haile Selassie High School, there was so much of that energy in the room that recognizing two students felt like the perfect way to close out such a memorable experience.

We hope those awards serve as a reminder that their effort, participation and willingness to step forward did not go unnoticed.

It’s Always Bigger Than the Games

As much as we enjoy the laughter, the excitement and the unforgettable moments, there is always a bigger reason behind what we do.

The Sports Girlie Tour was created to give young people access to conversations, experiences and opportunities that can help shape the way they see themselves and their futures.

Every school we visit is different. Every group of students brings something new, and every experience reminds us that there is so much value in simply showing up for the next generation.

For me, one of the most rewarding parts of these visits is watching students gradually become more comfortable. Seeing someone who was hesitant at the beginning eventually raise their hand, join an activity or confidently share their thoughts is always a special moment.

We may not always know the immediate impact of the conversations we have, but I genuinely hope that something we shared at Haile Selassie High School stays with the students.

Maybe it is a reminder to believe in themselves a little more. Maybe it is the courage to try something they have been afraid of. Or maybe it is simply knowing that their voice deserves to be heard.

Whatever it is, I hope they carry it with them long after our visit.

Haile Selassie, You Set the Bar!

To the students, teachers and entire Haile Selassie High School family, thank you for welcoming The Sports Girlie Tour with so much enthusiasm.

You gave us laughter, creativity, participation and some moments we will definitely be talking about for a while.

What a way to begin our Next Gen Series!

As we continue visiting schools across Jamaica, we are looking forward to meeting more incredible young people, hearing their stories and creating spaces where they feel encouraged to learn, express themselves and dream a little bigger.

Because if Haile Selassie High School reminded us of anything, it is that the next generation has plenty to say.

And we are more than happy to give them the microphone.

Here’s to more schools, more stories and more lives inspired.

Elevate Everything.

The Sports Girlie Team

Stay Connected

The journey doesn’t end here! Follow @the.sportsgirlie on Instagram for more highlights, behind the scenes moments and updates from Season 3 of The Sports Girlie Tour.

Explore more stories from our school visits through The Elevate Diaries and join us as we continue empowering the next generation, one stop at a time.