Students of Lewiston ASB Leadership have brainstormed a new system this winter to promote unity and engagement. They plan on implementing it in the following semester.
It will be a spinoff on the Harry Potter “House” system, which refers to the four leading houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. LHS has opted to use the hall names as house names instead. The four main hallways will divide the students based on last names, as follows: Sawtooth (A-D), Clearwater (E-K), Snake River (L-R), and Bitterroot (S-Z).
“It’s not seniors versus juniors, it’s all the grades together creating a new combined culture through the school,” said Ryan Wessels, assistant principal at LHS.
This combined culture will further unite the students, as they are currently divided by grade level. The idea for the House system seed was initially planted by Kevin Atlas, a basketball star and inspirational speaker who visited LHS in 2024. Since then, Lewiston leadership students have nurtured the idea, and it has grown into what it is today.
The House system will replace the old Bengal Way, which followed the KRR principle: being Kind, Respectful, and Responsible. This system was based on PBIS, or Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. While that approach has been practical, Wessels said that it needs to be modified at LHS, as it was identical to elementary school programs.
For example, the Centennial Rams in Lewiston have the “Ramslams,” which uses reward cards that students redeem for prizes. The McSorley Tigers gave “Tiger Paws” cards when students were “caught” following rules. The approach works for young kids, but older kids don’t appreciate it as much, Wessels said.
Ultimately, Wessels said, the new house system will foster a stronger sense of community among students, rather than separation and hierarchy.
To kick off the new system, LHS students and staff are already decorating the hallways based on their house and getting involved in fundraising. Students have also had the opportunity to volunteer at school activities to earn “house points” to compete against the other houses for prizes.
On the Bengal Update, Grant Webb, an ASB senior, created a scavenger hunt for students to complete in order to win free Golden Throne tickets and enough money to purchase a spirit pack.
And to foster greater school spirit and unity, every student will receive a free house-themed shirt. According to the LHS office, the shirts are sponsored by P1FCU, Inland Cellular, Dean Roy with Edward Jones, and Riverside Recovery.
