The Charlotte High School graduating class of 2015 can leave confident they have each made an impact — great or small — on their school and in their community. Through work with the high school’s School Improvement Team (SIT), principal Bill Barnes instituted a Senior Project program for all Charlotte High School seniors designed to make the school and community a better place.
“It’s an opportunity for our seniors to leave having given something back to their community and their school,” Barnes said.
Project ideas were generated by students, staff and community members and each senior had the opportunity to choose the project on which they wanted to work. Three days were scheduled throughout the school year for students to organize and complete one of 10 projects, including this past Monday, Jan 26. Six projects were selected with the intention of improving Charlotte High School, including painting wall murals; improving the intramural athletic program; cataloging all of the American flags and improving military recognition throughout the district; helping freshmen transition to the high school; identifying and promoting extracurricular activities and increasing Oriole pride throughout the school. Community improvement projects include, cleaning the Courthouse Square attic and cataloging Charlotte High School history; participating in the SIREN/Eaton Shelter volunteer program; building raised flowerbeds for Kiwanis Manor and picnic tables for Camp Frances; and holding mini public concerts.
“It’s a cool way to get everyone together,” said CHS senior Savanna Schmidt. “I didn’t know everyone in my group before this.”
Schmidt is working with the group cataloging American flags within the district.
“My dad was in the military, so it’s an important project to me,” she said.
Senior Marisa Royer said she chose the same project because she knew it’s been a goal of CHS teacher, John Moran’s to have an American flag in every classroom.
“It’s an opportunity for students to have a flag in their classroom every morning, which is important,” Royer said.
CHS senior Kim Long is working with a group of seniors to document all of the work the students are doing for their project.
“This is a good idea, because the community should be involved with what we’re doing and we should all be able to work together,” Long said.
Projects are scheduled for completion in March.
