A Lending Hand

Mollie Banstetter

Through his laid back style of teaching and entertaining demeanor, Mr. Eversole has created numerous connections with students. He’s provided an impactful insight on life that everyone can appreciate.

Kercher has known Eversole since last year but grew close to him this year as she works with him every day in the Link Crew classroom. Day in and day out, Eversole works with Kercher to encourage support for not just incoming freshmen, but for all students, in order to stimulate a welcoming environment.

“Everyone needs mentoring, everyone needs help and everyone needs that safe place, which is something that Eversole is really passionate about and is helping me with. Every single day, he asks me how I’m doing and I just feel comfortable talking to him because he’s got my back. He’s just there for everyone,” Kercher said.

Eversole puts support in causes that improve the livelihood of others, especially groups that have historically been marginalized.

“The Trevor Project serves LGBTQIA youth who are in crisis, and my advocacy for mental health and suicide prevention, as well as my status as an ally, means that they would be an excellent beneficiary of the Leader Academy’s efforts,” Eversole said. “When my brother was in high school, he almost took his own life, but it was a close friend who he trusted that gave him the opportunity to talk through things and convince him to get help.”

Already in his third year in Link Crew and tech, Eversole has been inspired by his parents, who’ve been the best teachers as they’ve encouraged him throughout his life.

“[My parents] always emphasized treating everyone well and serving others. It’s been inspiring to watch Link Crew leaders make connections with other students, and I can state as a fact that Link Crew has saved lives. We’ve taken it further by expanding it to be the friendly, welcoming face for any student who might be feeling uncomfortable or alone,” Eversole said.

Eversole’s ability to showcase kindness among everyone depicts the importance of building relationships between teachers and students. He’s displayed the type of open-mindedness and comfort that enables students to not only feel accepted, but feel as if they can truly talk to him.

“He’s definitely a role model of mine,” senior Link Crew and theater member, Lilia Taylor, said. “I admire the way he presents himself with other people, not only the students but with teachers too. He builds relationships with every person that he meets and he respects your boundaries. He’s made me feel very accepted in theater; it makes me feel like I am putting something into this production. I don’t think I could do theater without him.”

Taylor has been working with Eversole for a couple of years in some theater productions and she’s also joined Link Crew. Eversole maintains a productive yet unbiased environment, which enables students to be their own individualistic selves rather than rely on his judgments. Eversole’s kindhearted yet understanding atmosphere can’t go unnoticed just like how humorous and goofy he is in the classroom. Eversole, more recently, has incorporated the ‘okay, boomer’ meme as an ice breaker when meeting new students. 

“As someone who likes to get along with others and find common ground, I always try that first, it’s fun to have a response that indicates that the conversation is over and that shifts the power dynamic away from what Boomers think they deserve. Not all Boomers are Karens, but the ones who are just aren’t worth our energy. As a millennial, it’s also fun to share a meme with Gen Z,” Eversole said.

Eversole’s goofy and accepting environment has provided a sense of belonging for all his students and they’re ever so grateful for his compassion. What Eversole wants his students to know, more than anything, is: “I hate cilantro and my door is always open.”