As summer winds down and classrooms across Hamilton Community Schools prepare for another year of learning, a special group of students has been hard at work behind the scenes. Known as the Hawkeye Helpers, these dedicated students have spent their summer earning more than just a paycheck—they've been gaining valuable life and career skills, all while giving back to the schools they grew up in.
The Hawkeye Helpers program, led by Mr. Bob Hippey and Mr. Keith Folkert in the Facilities & Maintenance department, gives students the opportunity to work throughout the district in various maintenance and setup roles. From mulching and landscaping to building furniture, painting, and even learning to drive tractors and operate tools, the students are involved in meaningful hands-on work that directly supports district teachers and classmates.
“I’ve learned how to use an impactor, which was really fun. And driving a tractor—that was a blast,” said upcoming Hamilton High School junior and student helper, Jamie Betten. “It’s cool to be part of something that helps get classrooms ready before the school year starts.”
Betten and classmates Eliga Roussin, Hannah Valkema, and Sara Villalobos are selected not just for their willingness to work, but also for their pride in being part of the Hamilton community. “It’s open to students who want to learn, who want to work, and who have taken personal value in their schools,” said Bob Hippey, Hawkeye Helpers supervisor and Hamilton High School staff member. “They grew up here, have friends here, and want to make a difference.”
That difference is felt across the district. Hawkeye Helpers have built shelves and classroom furniture, hung tack boards, changed locker combinations, and even taken on landscaping and mulching projects. All of these tasks help take pressure off teachers and other district staff members, who are then able to focus on preparing curriculum and other jobs instead of assembling furniture or painting walls.
“It’s really cool to see everything come together,” Betten shared. “The teachers walk into their rooms and don’t have to spend their summer doing all this setup—it’s already done.”
Beyond the physical labor, the program is a chance for students to build skills they can take with them into the future. “We’ve had several who’ve used this experience as a resume builder,” Hippey explained. “It helps shape them and gives them ideas of what they might want to do in the future.”
And while the work is valuable, so is the environment. “We’re like a family,” said Hippey. “We have fun, we work through things together, and we all enjoy working with Mr. Hippey.”
For many of the students, the experience is more than just a summer job—it's an introduction to responsibility, teamwork, and pride in serving their school community. “I’m glad I did this,” rising junior Eliga Roussin said. “It’s worth it. You learn good things, life skills. Plus, I got paid and have fun doing it.”
