More Than a Seat at the Table: Rosedale Middle School Scholars Step Into Leadership at Mayor Watson’s Prayer Breakfast
Six eighth-grade scholar interns from Connecting The Dottes After School Klub discover that leadership begins with service, confidence, and the courage to connect.
By Levi Lee
November 12, 2026 | Bonner Springs, Kansas
Some of life’s most powerful lessons aren’t taught behind a classroom desk. Sometimes, they’re learned while holding open a door, extending a handshake, escorting a community leader to their seat, or helping a mother care for her baby.
For six eighth-grade scholar interns from Rosedale Middle School, Thursday, November 12, 2026, was more than another school day. It was an opportunity to step outside their familiar surroundings and into a room filled with elected officials, educators, clergy, and influential community leaders.
And they weren’t there simply to watch.
They were there to serve, represent, connect, and lead.
Through the Connecting The Dottes After School Klub at Rosedale Middle School, an initiative of The JEGNA Klub INC., these young scholars participated in Mayor Christal E. Watson’s Love Thy Neighbor Prayer Breakfast, held at the Bonner Springs Community Center.
The event’s message—Faith. Community. Connection.—provided the perfect backdrop for an experience that demonstrated what happens when young people are intentionally given opportunities to grow.
From the Classroom to the Community
The six participating scholar interns—Valerie Prieto-Pardo, Cornelius Springfield, Roberto Carrillo Martinez, Kimberly Isidro Viveros, Aylin Ortiz Perez, and Liliana Overton—arrived with an important assignment.
They would serve as greeters and attendants, welcoming guests and escorting distinguished attendees to their designated seats.
It may sound simple. But consider what that responsibility requires of an eighth grader.
Making eye contact. Speaking clearly. Listening carefully. Following directions. Demonstrating courtesy. Remaining composed around unfamiliar adults. And perhaps most importantly, recognizing that their presence and professionalism matter.
For many middle school students, interacting with high-ranking public officials can feel intimidating. Yet these scholars embraced the challenge.
Their responsibilities transformed a traditional community gathering into a living classroom where social confidence, leadership, communication, and professional etiquette became practical skills rather than abstract concepts.
A Handshake With Leadership
Each scholar had an opportunity to connect with individuals whose decisions and responsibilities directly influence the community around them.
Valerie Prieto-Pardo assisted Pastor Hunter Parker of the First Pentecostal Church of Bonner Springs and District 4 Commissioner and event MC Dr. Evelyn Hill
Cornelius Springfield welcomed Bonner Springs Mayor Tom Stephens and Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree.
Roberto Carrillo Martinez assisted Reverend Dr. Mang Sonna, Executive Director of Bethel Neighborhood Center, and Dr. Canise Salinas, Assistant Superintendent of Organizational Development for KCKPS.
Kimberly Isidro Viveros greeted Mayor Christal E. Watson and Pastor Desmond C. Lamb of Forest Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Aylin Ortiz Perez had the opportunity to welcome Dr. Jarius Jones, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources for Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools and District 7 Commissioner Chuck Stites.
Liliana Overton greeted Wyandotte County Sheriff Dan Soptic and Commissioner Melissa Bynum, representing At-Large District 1.
These weren’t simply names on a seating chart. They represented government, public education, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, and community service.
For the scholars, each interaction provided a glimpse into the people and institutions shaping their city.
And just as importantly, those leaders had an opportunity to see the next generation of Kansas City, Kansas, standing before them.
Small Acts. Powerful Lessons.
While the impressive guest list made the experience memorable, the scholars’ reflections revealed something even more meaningful.
Their favorite moments weren’t necessarily about titles or positions.
They were about human connection.
Valerie recalled enjoying meeting new people and helping guests find their seats. But one moment stood out: assisting Pastor Hunter Parker’s wife by bringing her a breakfast plate while she attended to their baby.
That small act captured the event’s theme, Love Thy Neighbor, in its simplest form.
Leadership isn’t always about being recognized. Sometimes, it’s about recognizing someone else’s needs.
Cornelius offered a refreshingly authentic eighth-grade perspective when asked about his favorite part.
“Eating the bacon,” he responded, before adding, “but to be for real meeting all the famous people in our community.”
His answer brought humor to an important realization: people young scholars may have previously known only by title or reputation are real individuals they can approach, greet, and engage.
Roberto found satisfaction in welcoming everyone.
Kimberly appreciated learning about the guests and understanding their different professional titles.
Aylin enjoyed greeting attendees and holding the door as they entered.
Liliana similarly highlighted welcoming guests and opening doors.
Simple experiences? Perhaps.
But these are the foundational habits of leadership: respect, attentiveness, confidence, service, and the ability to make others feel valued.
A Community United by Four Pillars
The Prayer Breakfast itself reinforced the importance of collective responsibility.
The program featured musical selections, scripture readings, inspirational messages, and prayers centered on four pillars: infrastructure, business, housing, and community.
Faith leaders representing multiple congregations and traditions participated throughout the morning.
Bishop Calvin Lewis, President of the Kansas City Kansas Baptist Minister Union, led the Four Pillar Prayer segment. Reverend Dr. Mang Sonna addressed infrastructure, Reverend Francisco Lara represented business, Pastor Hunter Parker focused on housing, and Co-Pastor Dr. Jennifer Collier addressed community.
Pastor Desmond C. Lamb of Forest Grove Missionary Baptist Church served as the featured speaker, while Mayor Watson delivered closing remarks.
The gathering demonstrated that meaningful community progress requires more than one individual, organization, or institution.
It requires collaboration.
For the Rosedale scholars, the event offered an opportunity to witness that collaboration firsthand—and understand that their generation has a place in the conversation.
Coach Mo: Building Confidence Through Opportunity
For Moses “Coach Mo” Wyatt Jr., founder and CEO of The JEGNA Klub INC. and facilitator of Connecting The Dottes at Rosedale Middle School, the field trip represented exactly the type of real-world learning the program was designed to provide.
“Today was an opportunity for our scholar interns to engage with community leaders, clergy and elected officials that they normally would not cross paths with in a setting where they can practice communication skills. I was very proud of how they spoke and handled themselves professionally!”
His words reflect a philosophy central to The JEGNA Klub’s mission: young people develop confidence and leadership capacity when adults create meaningful opportunities for them to participate.
Connecting The Dottes introduces students to multimedia production, broadcasting, journalism, communication, and career-connected learning.
But the program reaches beyond cameras, microphones, and editing software.
It teaches scholars how to navigate the world around them.
The same communication skills needed to conduct an interview, deliver a broadcast, or tell a compelling story are equally valuable when introducing oneself to a superintendent, greeting a mayor, or assisting a community member.
The classroom builds the foundation. Real-world experiences bring the lessons to life.
The Power of Representation
Nancy Hale, who accompanied the scholars, witnessed their enthusiasm throughout the morning.
“I think our scholars loved it. They were so enthusiastic when greeting and speaking to all of the dignitaries. I also loved meeting Commissioner Howard who is a product of KCKPS. It was so great to see someone so young invested in the community and the future of our youth.”
Her observation highlights another important dimension of the experience: representation.
When students meet leaders who emerged from the same school district and community they call home, leadership can begin to feel more attainable.
Commissioner Howard’s connection to KCKPS offered a reminder that today’s students can become tomorrow’s public servants, educators, entrepreneurs, and community advocates.
Exposure expands possibility.
And possibility can change how young people envision their futures.
They Didn’t Just Attend. They Belonged.
Perhaps the most significant outcome of the morning wasn’t captured in the official program or seating assignments.
It was reflected in the confidence of six young people who entered a room filled with influential adults and fulfilled meaningful responsibilities.
They weren’t spectators standing on the sidelines.
They were contributors.
Their presence demonstrated that youth engagement doesn’t have to wait until high school graduation, college, or adulthood.
Middle school scholars can already make a difference when given preparation, encouragement, and an opportunity to serve.
For Connecting The Dottes, the Prayer Breakfast was another example of how experiential education can connect academic development with civic awareness, professional skills, and personal growth.
For the community leaders who encountered these scholars, it was also an opportunity to witness the potential growing within Rosedale Middle School.
And for Valerie, Cornelius, Roberto, Kimberly, Aylin, and Liliana, it was a day of first impressions, new relationships, and lessons that may extend far beyond the breakfast table.
The Next Generation Is Already Here
The theme Love Thy Neighbor carried a message that resonated throughout the morning.
Community is not simply where we live.
It’s how we treat one another, the opportunities we create, and the responsibility we accept for those coming behind us.
Six eighth graders arrived prepared to open doors for others.
In the process, new doors of possibility opened for them.
That’s the power of mentorship.
That’s the value of real-world learning.
And that’s what happens when we stop asking young people to wait for their turn and start creating spaces where they can contribute today.
Because the future of Kansas City, Kansas, isn’t just sitting in our classrooms. It’s already standing at the door, welcoming the community in.
ABOUT CONNECTING THE DOTTES
Connecting The Dottes After School Klub at Rosedale Middle School is a youth multimedia, journalism, broadcasting, and career-connected learning initiative facilitated by The JEGNA Klub INC. The program empowers scholar interns through mentorship, storytelling, professional development, and meaningful community engagement.
JEGNA World Blog | For Youth. By Youth. Building Tomorrow’s Leaders Today.
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