
Rocket Promise Citizens Advisory Committee

This webpage serves as a central hub to keep our community informed about the work and progress of the Rocket Promise Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).
The Rocket Promise & Portrait of a Graduate
The Rocket Promise Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) brings together parents, students, community members, and district staff to guide the development of the Rocket Promise and Portrait of a Graduate. Together, these initiatives reflect the district’s commitment to helping every student feel they belong, achieve their goals, and grow into confident, capable Rockets. Our work centers on two key initiatives:
1. The Rocket Promise
The CAC’s work includes developing the Rocket Promise, a renewed commitment to ensuring that every student feels they belong, can succeed, and is supported in reaching their full potential. This promise reflects our belief that all students should have the opportunity to thrive and contribute their unique strengths.
Together with the Portrait of a Graduate, the Rocket Promise helps define the type of environment and culture we want for all Spring Grove students.
2. The Portrait of a Graduate
As part of this initiative, the CAC is also creating a Portrait of a Graduate—a shared vision of the knowledge, skills, and characteristics we want every student to have when they graduate. It goes beyond academics to include personal, social, and career-ready skills that help students thrive in life after high school.
Why it matters:
- For staff: It guides in designing experiences, interactions, and support that help students grow, succeed, and develop the habits and skills needed for life beyond high school.
- For students: It helps set goals, track growth, and develop the habits and skills needed for life beyond high school.
- For families and the community: It shows what we value for students and how everyone can support them.
Community Input
The CAC has identified six overarching themes, each with a list of potential characteristics. Community input is now being collected to help determine which characteristics best define a Spring Grove graduate—shaping a vision that will guide students, teachers, and the community for years to come.
Take Our Survey
We invite you to participate in our survey to select the top 3 characteristics for each theme and to share additional ideas. Your feedback will shape a Portrait of a Graduate that truly reflects the goals, values, and aspirations of our community. Together, we can create a Portrait of a Graduate and Rocket Promise that prepare all Spring Grove students to succeed, contribute, and thrive.
Committee Progress

The Rocket Promise Citizens Advisory Committee has met monthly since September 2025 to guide the development of the Portrait of a Graduate and Rocket Promise. During this time, members have explored the CAC’s overall purpose and goals, discussed what students, staff, families, and the community hope to see in a Spring Grove graduate, and identified words and characteristics that best reflect our schools and community.
The CAC has considered the reasons behind the Portrait of a Graduate and how it could be used, reviewed examples from other districts, narrowed potential themes and word choices, and begun developing a community survey to gather broader input. The feedback collected will help refine the themes and characteristics to ensure the final Portrait of a Graduate and Rocket Promise truly reflect the values and aspirations of our students and community.
Meet the Rocket Promise Citizens Advisory Committee
The Rocket Promise Citizens Advisory Committee includes parents, students, community members, and district staff working collaboratively to guide this initiative.

Committee Co-Chairs and Co-Facilitators:
- Phalon Mallory - Co-Chair and SGAMS Principal
- Dr. Dave Dietrich - Co-Chair, NSE Principal, and Parent
- Cobey Dietrich - Co-Facilitator and Parent
- Steph Kennedy - Co-Facilitator, SGASD Admin, and Parent
Committee Members:
- Latisha Barnes - SGAMS Teacher
- Eric Barshinger - School Board Member and Parent
- Shawn Berkebile - Parent
- Brian Campbell - Parent and Coach
- Ava Dietrich - SGAHS Student
- Jennifer Dugan - NSE School Counselor
- Camryn Gross - SGAMS Student
- Dr. Steven Guadagnino - Assistant Superintendent
- Erika Koblitz - SGAHS Teacher
- Amy Lawrence - SGI Teacher and Parent
- Heather Lehman - Parent
- Landon McDaniel - SGAHS Student
- Declan McMyne - SGAMS Student
- Na’Kera Melbourne - SGAHS Student
- Gautham Narayan - SGAHS Student
- Gail Patterson - Parent
- Judah Patterson-Rivera - SGAHS Student
- Dr. Dave Renaut - Acting Superintendent
- Olivia Rodriguez - SGAMS Student
- Steffani Stine - NSE Teacher
- Christian Toomey - Parent and Coach
- Keishla Vargas - SGAMS Student
- Rhonda Wastler - NSE and PES Teacher and Parent
- Nicole Wilson - School Board Member and Parent











