Element was involved in the grand opening of the renovated Rhodes Skate Park in Boise Idaho on August 6th.
Plus they made a commitment to stay in Boise with the opening of 304 Americana and the Element Rhodes Scholar program. To find out more about the program I asked Element Founder, Johnny Schillereff.
What’s the Element Rhodes Scholar Program?
The Element Rhodes Scholar Program just came about organically. We wanted to be part of the skateboard scene and community so we started the shop/space in Boise, Idaho. We started clicking with some of the younger kids and decided to keep working with them.
It’s important that younger kids have positive role models. We are the role models for these kids and they’ll be the role models for the next generation.
It’s a crew. A crew of local kids that are part of the community and skate scene. They visit every day and are fully committed to that scene and skateboarding.
What’s expected of the Element Rhodes Scholars?
When the program became real, and people could refer to themselves as the Rhodes Scholars, I was like “hey there are going to be some rules”.
They need to be positive part of the community. They do things like push each other to be positive, clean up the skate park, and help clean up the shop. It’s like a “big brother” program that rips.
The original guys were all locals who rip. They are good enough to be sponsored, young flow skaters for brands. Then as the program grew, other kids – artists, photographers and filmers joined the scholars. So now there’s multiple versions of scholars. They’ve built their own self-sufficient skate crew.
Who can apply to be a Rhodes Scholar, what’s the application process, and how long is the program?
It’s not formal. It’s definitely organic; it’s how we recruit team riders and how riders turn pro for Element. I’m a fan of things happening through chemistry.
It’s about them being at the park and shop a lot with a positive attitude & wanting to be better. So it’s nothing you can apply for and it’s nothing that expires.
Some of the Original Rhodes Scholars
Each picture will take you to a video and the link to the scholars IG is below the caption.
Field Notes, day 004: Element’s of style with Rhode Scholar @_a.drake, smooth like butter. He shreds every day and one of the mindsets kids I know, keep shredding Aidan.
Field Notes: Day 002 – Prestige’s very own Jacob Glenn (@shredder_glenn) killing it and always being a respectful Rhodes ‘Scholar. He’s been helping with 304 Americana Element and shredding the park on a daily.
Prestige’s team-rider and Rhode ‘Scholar Ibrahim (@_ibrahimkanneh). Props to the shops who invest in the future and support the local scene through thick and thin.
Elliot (@elliotsaxton) 13 – The future is now.
What I like about this post, is that Element didn’t just give a bunch of product and wish the community well. They are committed to the scholars & entire community.
Commitment to doing what’s right is stylish on & off the board.
