Building Strength and Friendships: Muscle Mentors at Three Rivers High School
Inclusivity, growth, and connection are at the heart of Muscle Mentors, a program designed to bring students together in meaningful ways through sports and fitness. What started as an idea to create more opportunities for students in Mrs. Weikert’s room has grown into a thriving program that fosters both skill development and lasting friendships.
For years, students from Mrs. Weikert’s room were integrated into general PE classes, but it became clear that there weren’t enough structured opportunities for all students to succeed and grow. Muscle Mentors bridges that gap. Students in the program pair up with peers from Mrs. Weikert’s room, working together to develop skills in sports and fitness while forming real connections that go beyond the gym.
This year marks the second year of Muscle Mentors, and interest has been so high that the program has been split into two semesters. The first semester will culminate in a service project at FreeStore Foodbank before Christmas break, giving students a chance to give back to the community. In the second semester, the excitement returns with the Jacket Games on Friday, April 24th, following the huge success of last year’s games.
Muscle Mentors is more than a PE class—it’s a community where students encourage each other, celebrate progress, and build friendships that extend beyond the classroom. With continued interest and support, the program is looking for ways to grow and touch even more students in the years to come. We are incredibly grateful for P.E. Teacher Alex Rittershausen, who continues to make this program flourish, and Lori Reis, Jen Seibert, and Lynne Hinton, who provide consistent support.
