Aviano Elementary School Launches Anchored4Life Leadership Program
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Aviano Elementary School has launched Anchored4Life, an internationally recognized leadership and character development program designed to support students through service, connection, and purposeful leadership opportunities.
The initiative is sponsored by the Department of the Air Force through the School Liaison Program and is supported through a partnership between Aviano Elementary School and the Aviano Air Base School Liaison Program. The program reflects a shared commitment between Aviano Air Base and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools to support military-connected students and strengthen school-community partnerships.
To support the program’s rollout, Dr. Shawna Harlin-Clifton, executive director of Anchored4Life, facilitated the initial Tier 1 training at Aviano Elementary School. The foundational training introduced the Anchored4Life framework to school administrators, faculty, the school liaison, and military family life counselors. Participants received an overview of the program’s mission, structure, and research-based approach to fostering student leadership, connection, and a positive school climate.
Anchored4Life is a student-centered leadership program focused on character development, service learning, and peer connection. The program empowers students to welcome new classmates, lead service projects, and organize activity groups that promote responsibility, teamwork, and empathy. Through these experiences, students learn that leadership is grounded in service and making a positive impact within their school community.
At Aviano Elementary School, the program currently supports fourth- and fifth-grade Team Leaders, providing them with opportunities to lead, collaborate, and positively influence their peers while helping to build a welcoming and connected school culture.
Dr. Clare Bush, school counselor at Aviano Elementary School, said the program offers meaningful leadership opportunities for students.
“We are excited to introduce Anchored4Life at Aviano Elementary School,” Bush said. “This internationally recognized program will foster student character development through service projects, new student welcome tours, and engaging activity groups. We look forward to supporting our fourth- and fifth-grade Team Leaders as they lead Anchored4Life activities and strengthen our school community.”
Students are already seeing the program’s impact. Fourth-grade students from Mrs. Hammond’s class shared their perspectives on participating in Anchored4Life.
“The experience is a pleasant one,” said Mattie Nowak. “The opportunity to step out of what I am currently doing to help kids is outstanding.”
“It’s a meaningful program where kids help kids,” said Kari Pagtalunan.
School leaders have also expressed interest in expanding Anchored4Life to Aviano Middle High School, creating a continuous leadership pathway as students transition through DoDEA schools on Aviano Air Base.
Through partnerships such as Anchored4Life, Aviano Elementary School continues to strengthen connections among students, families, schools, and the military community, supporting student growth and leadership development across the installation.
