BY KARISSA MILLER

Oakwood Middle School International Baccalaureate students Janey Walker and Charlotte Templeton were excited for the opportunity to share information about their Service as Action project, “Change Through Clothing.”

Exhibit poise, passion and confidence, they discussed their work helping organize First Street Baptist Church’s clothing closet and their efforts to raise awareness about providing access to affordable clothing can help low-income families.

“Our initial plan was to organize a clothing drive and collect donations directly, but it didn’t work out as planned,” Walker explained. “Ultimately, we developed and distributed posters to promote the church’s ongoing acceptance of clothing donations.”

After creating the posters during a sleepover with friends, Walker and Templeton went out into the community to ask businesses to display the posters in their windows.

“We are pleased to report that our objective of raising awareness was successfully achieved,” Templeton said.

According to church staff, she continued, there was a notable increase in clothing donations following the display of the posters, which serves as a clear indication of the campaign’s effectiveness.

Students at Oakwood Middle, an International Baccalaureate World School, showcased their Service as Action projects to their families and the community Wednesday.

Another student group made up of Myah Fuglio, Madison Conklin and Aubrey Mehall created a service project called “Creating a Brighter Future.” The trio group helped students at N.B. Mills Elementary with their reading and math skills. They also hosted community events throughout the school year.

Parent Lindsey Mehall, who is also the MTSS coordinator at N.B. Mills and a former IB instructional facilitator, said she was impressed with their presentation.

“I liked that they were so well spoken and accomplished about what they were able to share with everyone else,” Mehall said.

She said that her daughter Aubrey, who is interested in teaching as a possible career path, looked completely in her element while volunteering at N.B. Mills.

“She built such strong relationships throughout the school year. It made me proud that her confidence was built up. Middle school is tough. It takes a hit on your confidence. But having these kids surround her and her surround them — she knows them and cares about them. She wanted to help them with their reading,” Mehall explained.

“She created a game in class that she could take back and play with the kids that would help them with their multiplication. She was excited to get to know students,” she added.

Eighth-grade teacher Sarah Johnson explained that the Service as Action project encourages students to engage in activities that benefit others or the environment, in which kids connect classroom learning to real-world problems and solutions.

“In sixth grade, we introduce the idea of planning and thinking about what service is,” Johnson explained. “In seventh grade, they tailor it more to their interest and still work in a classroom group.”

“By eighth grade, they work on it independently. However, they can work in groups up to three people. They do all of the planning, reflecting and executing,” she added.

Simply put, Johnson said, it’s giving your gifts and passions to others and seeing how you can make a difference in the world.

According to Oakwood IB coordinator Sarah Pittman, the project spans the entire school year, starting with some guidance or brainstorming. Students make their own plans and and work to achieve the goals that they set.

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