28 Feb 2011 A big step up: Two in Greenbrier lead the charge to help the hungry

Thanks to the hard work of Sam Harris and Garrett Sartor, students throughout the Greenbrier School District stepped up to help feed the hungry.

As part of the junior high school EAST program – under the supervision of instructor Misty Burgess – the two students developed andimplemented a plan to involve every school in the district. Their work varied from meeting with the district superintendent and other administrators to creating school announcements and flyers.

EAST – recognized nationally as an innovative approach to education – is a project-based, service- learning oriented class that exposes students to current technology. In Garrett’s words, the EAST curriculum is designed for students to be self-driven and work on projects that benefit the community.

Last fall, Ms. Burgess approached Sam, an eighth-grader, and Garrett, a freshman, about heading up the school’s participation in “Step up to the Plate,” a hunger initiative launched by 501 LIFE. “I was familiar with it and what we did last year,” Garrett said, explaining that last year’s participation was not district-wide.

The two students met initially with Monica Lieblong of the 501 LIFE Editorial Board to learn more about the initiative before meeting with district superintendent Scott Spainhour. Not only did the superintendent offer his support, he had some suggestions, including the use of borrowed shopping carts to serve as a reminder and collection receptacle at schools.

“He was excited to be a part,” Sam said.

In their EAST class, the students brain-

stormed other ideas. They used PowerPoint to create a presentation for school administrators to enlist their help and Microsoft Office to create promotional pieces. Among their efforts, the two also wrote and recorded phone messages as part of the district-wide automated calling system.

“I don’t think some people understand what we do in EAST, and what we can accomplish with the software and equipment,” Sam said.

With the help of Ms. Burgess, Sam and Garrett spent an afternoon going from school to school to collect the canned goods.

They had anticipated the donations would fit in one vehicle, but much to their surprise, it took two.

“We were really surprised at how everyone jumped in,” Sam said. “I was blown away by everyone’s participation.”

After the collection drive, Sam and Garrett created a presentation for classmates on the project. They were pleased with their district’s participation, as well as the grade they received. Both students consider the time on the project well spent. Sam has visited Bethlehem House, a homeless shelter in Conway, and has seen firsthand the need that exists.

“We learned we can make a difference,” Sam said. “There’s stuff that junior high kids can do themselves. It was a lot of work but it didn’t put us out to help all those people…If I was asked to do it again, I would say, ‘Yes.’”

Garrett added, “We learned to use available resources, like EAST, to make a difference. It was a good opportunity to learn about yourself and what you would like to do.”