In a time when it seems that all teenagers are self-centered and focused solely on their own angst and superficial turmoil, I am inspired by the efforts of students I have the privilege of teaching at East Wake Academy. They are participating in The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Partnership Foundation program which provides awards and grants for academic service learning. The Senior Academy at East Wake Academy is the first high school in the nation to participate in the program.

Academic service learning promotes curriculum-based community service programs that teach students to apply what they learn in class, and instill values of selfless service and empathy toward their community. The students are challenged to propose a service project that will provide a benefit to others. Two of the participating EWA students have chosen to work with the Knightdale Head Start Program.

The Head Start Program provides a free pre-school for children from low-income families. They have classrooms that average seven students to one teacher, provide services for children with disabilities, and accommodate the seven different languages spoken by their diverse participants. They make a sincere effort to provide a solid educational foundation and also provide a nutritional breakfast, lunch, and snack.

The program prepares the children academically, but the EWA students want to aid the children in the next phase of their education. Their proposal is to make sure all the children leaving the Head Start program to begin kindergarten receive a book bag filled with pencils, crayons, glue, paper, and anything else listed on the required supply list at their representative elementary schools. They will partner with community organizations, businesses and families to raise money and collect donations, making sure these children have every item they need on their first day of school. Can’t we all relate to the wonderful feeling of taking out our brand new pencils and paper on the first day of school? New school supplies ignite a feeling of endless possibility and hope, and all children should have that positive experience to begin their educational journey.

This is only one example of the multiple proposals written by motivated students, and the winning proposal will receive a grant to set their plan in motion. I am not only inspired by the ideas of the students planning the project but also by the Head Start program and their efforts to improve the future of our community. I hope this will motivate others to get involved and remind the rest of us that we can make a difference by providing something as simple as a new pack of pencils or crayons.