Forever family. Acceptance & open minds. Courage & fearlessness. Positive pride. Unwavering inteGRITy. Enthusiasm & Excellence. 

These words form the pledge taken by the members of BV West’s leadership class, Jaguar Pride Coalition (JPCo). The class, which meets seventh hour, is led by English teacher Dr. Laura Restivo, or ‘Doc’ as many of her students affectionately call her. 

Restivo taught her first leadership class at Olathe NW, where she saw a void of school pride and spirit. She then moved to BV West in 2008. In 2010, many students felt the school’s atmosphere changing when large amounts of students left for BV Southwest when it opened. Restivo felt that BV West could also benefit from a leadership organization that could promote school unity.

From there, the organization grew. This year’s group, which is the eighth JPCo group, is composed of 27 juniors and seniors that promote school spirit and learn about positive leadership techniques. 

JPCo is perhaps most widely known for planning and running assemblies. Whether it is performing skits, recognizing the accomplishments of clubs and sports or pumping everyone up for the class competition, all eyes of the school are on the members of JPCo. For this reason, JPCo is a selective class with a tryout process. 

Potential JPCo members fill out an application, and those who are asked to continue on to the interview part, are interviewed by senior JPCo members, faculty and administration. According to Restivo, there is no mold for a future JPCo member.

“We want to create a diverse team,” said Restivo. “Diversity can look like a lot of things but mostly I am looking for a variety of students that are involved in a whole bunch of things, so I am getting a cross section of the student body. We want students who are passionate about West and passionate about school culture, and that’s going to include school tradition and school spirit but it also includes just creating an atmosphere of positivity and family.” 

JPCo bonding begins every summer before school even starts. JPCo 8.0 attended a Royals game over the summer, went to Breakout KC, and more, in order to work towards becoming a more cohesive unit.

“You can’t lead the school if you can’t lead with each other and you have to have each other’s backs,” said senior JPCo member Katie Walesh. 

When the school year starts, the class is instantly in full swing. When they are not planning various school spirit activities, the group receives comprehensive leadership instruction from Restivo. 

“We do leadership book studies,” Walesh said. “This year we are reading ‘The Fred Factor’ and ‘Start With Why,’ two leadership books. We read them, and we do a lot of journaling and open discussion. It’s really constructive and I find that in a lot of other leadership roles I use the skills that I learned in JPCo.” 

The leadership lessons that the group learns allow them to create a positive impact, which in the end, is what the class is designed to do. 

“Day in and day out we are just trying to make a positive difference on our classmates,” said senior JPCo member Matthew Burgess. “If you can affect one or two people a week that’s sort of the thing we are going for.” 

The impact that JPCo wants to make at the school is aided by the strong leadership and compassion that Restivo provides for the group. 

“I have had [Restivo] as both an AP Lang teacher and in JPCo and I honestly think she’s the same in both,” Walesh said. “She’s a mentor no matter what and to the core she’s a genuine leader that is very selfless and wants to make sure that you are successful and confident and comfortable with the scenario that you are in.” 

Since JPCo began, similar organizations have started in all five Blue Valley schools, Mill Valley High School and Parkville High School. 

“I really like that it’s expanding to other schools,” Restivo said. “That’s been a really cool thing to be a part of, so I’d like to continue to mentor those schools and have them come visit.”

JPCo has a tremendously positive impact on BV West, and it will continue to do so under the watch of Restivo and the passing down of traditions of leadership from past members. 

“If it’s done well, it has the potential to transform a culture, and I hope that it’s something we can continue to do,” Restivo said.