STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Riverside Elementary School 5th grader Amaris Thompson
Leads the Boomin' Bears Drumline
Posted: September 24, 2025
Amaris Thompson's days at Riverside Elementary School are full of learning, positively interacting with classmates and teachers, and the loud booming rhythms of the school's drumline.
Thompson is a fifth grader who is known for following the daily Riverside motto of be safe, be respectful, be responsible and be kind. Teachers describe her as well-behaved, liked by all, having good attendance and completing all of her classwork and homework on time.
"Riverside is really amazing," Thompson said. "It helps you to grow and helps you to learn better. And the teachers are actually really nice and can help you understand things better."
One of the most fun parts of her day is playing drums in Riverside's Boomin' Bears Drumline. Celebrating its fifth year, the drumline performs and does community service at numerous local events annually.
Thompson, who started playing the drums in the group last year, was chosen to lead the drumline as its captain for this school year. Being part of the drumline makes her feel more confident in all areas of school, she said.
"I like drumline because I like playing instruments; because it's really fun," Thompson said.
Thompson's cool temperament and even personality made her stand out as a leader according to Mitzi Emblidge, Riverside's music teacher and drumline director.
"Every year, I select a student who's really shown a lot of growth and a lot of leadership from fourth grade into fifth grade," Emblidge said. "And Amaris was it, for sure.
"She's very balanced. She speaks when she needs to. She says things when she needs to say things, but she's also quiet when she knows that's the respectful thing to do."
Thompson also participates in the Girls Who Code club and serves as a morning show host, which is where she and other students kick off a positive start to the school day by talking about the importance of kindness and respect for all.
She likes reading and writing, math despite its somewhat complicated nature, and science is her favorite subject. Outside of school, she draws, plays outside on a trampoline with her siblings and plays with neighborhood friends.
Thompson likes doing activities with other students and participating in groups.
"They help me understand better what we're supposed to do so I can actually figure out the answer," she said.
Attending Riverside since kindergarten means she's in her sixth and last year at the school. Despite Thompson's plans to continue to play music next year in middle school, Emblidge expressed dismay at her moving on.
"Once a Bear, always a Bear," Thompson said, smiling brightly.
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