Partners for Rural Impact (PRI) logo

Knott Student Voice Summit: Empowering Students

Picture of Ryan Fields

Ryan Fields

CTC Communications Intern

On March 4, 2025, Knott Central High School hosted the Knott Student Voice Summit, an event designed to amplify student voices and foster a safer, more inclusive school environment. Led by PRI’s Integrated Strategies Team and Knott County STOP-V grant staff, the summit provided students with an opportunity to express their concerns and propose solutions to improve their school.

The summit featured two key initiatives:

  • True Colors – Flying Your True Colors for True Success
  • Green Dot Bystander Initiative


These activities encouraged self-awareness, collaboration, and proactive engagement in school safety efforts.

True Colors: Understanding Yourself & Others

In the True Colors workshop, students participated in a personality assessment designed to help them identify their strengths and working styles. Each participant was assigned a color type that represents key personality traits:

  • Blue – Emotionally driven, compassionate, and intuitive

  • Gold – Structured, organized, and responsible

  • Green – Analytical, logical, and independent

  • Orange – Spontaneous, action-oriented, and adventurous

Green Dot Bystander Initiative: Taking Action for School Safety

The Green Dot Bystander Initiative empowered students to actively identify and address behavioral concerns within the school. This violence prevention program encourages individuals to take action against harmful behaviors such as bullying, harassment, and violence.

Students worked together to define what a safe school means to them, describing it as:

"A place where you feel welcomed, comfortable, and protected; free to be yourself; able to learn without judgment; and in an environment that is physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy."

Tweet

Using this definition, students analyzed school data to identify “hot spots”—locations where behavioral issues frequently occur. Their solutions included:

  • Peer intervention strategies

  • Creating designated safe spaces

  • Promoting awareness of Green Dot behaviors

  • Educating students on bystander intervention

Additionally, students proposed broader school improvements, such as:

  • Implementing a student council

  • Encouraging more participation in extracurricular activities

  • Expanding lunch options

  • Increasing career exploration opportunities

Student-Led Change & Leadership

The Green Dot Bystander Team presented their findings and proposals to members of the Knott County Central Office and Stop Violence Team, including:

  • Mrs. Kim Cornett, Project Director of the Stop Violence Grant

  • Mrs. Penny Hall, Student Voice and Community Coordinator

  • Mrs. Joanna Wright, Safety Training Coordinator

Their presentation sparked meaningful discussions, receiving positive feedback from school leaders. Superintendent Greg Conn praised the initiative, stating:

"This was an excellent opportunity for students to voice safety concerns in our high school and articulate not only the issues but also solutions."

Tweet

Next Steps: Turning Ideas into Action

The summit reinforced the idea that students are not just recipients of education but active participants in shaping their school environment. The Bystander Team will continue researching, refining their proposals, and presenting their action plan to the school administration.

This event showcased the power of student-driven change. Through initiatives like True Colors and Green Dot, Knott Central High School is empowering students to better understand themselves, advocate for their peers, and drive positive change.

The work is just beginning. With collaboration and continued student leadership, Knott Central High School is taking meaningful steps toward a safer, more supportive learning environment.

Facebook-square Twitter Instagram Youtube Linkedin-in

© 2024 Partners for Rural Impact