Leading by example at Edison

Editor's note: Many students at Edison High School are enrolled in the district's Teen Leadership Corps class, which empowers teenagers to achieve their leadership potential through a character- and service-based curriculum. This school year, several students have completed projects benefiting the community inside and outside of their school. Here are three of them: Project No. 1 — By Kellen McDonnell Stall Day rallies students together to support the Salvation Army On Friday, Dec. 19, Edison High School's Teen Leadership Corps class hosted its own Stall Day for the second year in a row. Stall Day is a schoolwide fundraiser in which students work together to support the local Salvation Army in Milan. During this event, students brought loose change or dollar bills to "stall" class, as it is being counted by the teacher and then put into stockings. This creates a fun incentive and free day for the students while also giving back to the community. This is definitely a fun project that the students love. It brings the school spirit before winter break. The students participated in many ways, being able to raise a total amount of more than $1,100 this year, which is about $200 less than last year. With that, at Edison's student council assembly, students got to pie a teacher, Mr. Kyle Cory. Overall, Stall Day was yet again successful. By turning a delay in class into an opportunity to give back, the students showed how far a collective effort can make a meaningful impact. The donations made to the Salvation Army reflect the school's commitment to community service and generosity, making Stall Day an event worth continuing for years to come. Project No. 2 — By Lily Risner A festive project for happiness Before Edison High School's annual Christmas break, Teen Leadership Corps hosted a project in which students donated items to support a local nonprofit: OHgo. Each year, OHgo delivers gifts filled with supplies in its mission of Project Happy to spread joy to families who do not usually have extra money to spend during the Christmas season for their children. By grade level, students were asked to bring in items, like hygiene products, toys, craft supplies, candy and so much more. Even the staff contributed. This project was very successful: We were able to prepare 11 packed boxes to send to OHgo to distribute to families in need. The freshman stood out, clearly donating the most items compared to any other grade level. With Project Happy, many were able to give back and feel selfless. On Dec. 23, my classmate Scarlett Bennett and I — we're both in Teen Leadership Corps — traveled to Faith Church in Sandusky to be a part of this big delivery of gifts. As if it were Christmas Day on Santa's sleigh, volunteers rode in vans, carrying all sorts of goodies and went door-to-door in each neighborhood to pass out these gifts. These gifts were sorted by gender and age, even giving stuffed animals to those under 3 years old. Students involved with this effort also got to experience seeing the boxes we personally donated being handed right to these children, and their smiling faces made it all worth it. This project has a great impact on the families it supports and the leaders it creates. Each student was able to lead by example and serve our community in bringing happiness and joy during the most wonderful time of the year. Although this project could not be carried out without the leadership of the Teen Leadership Corps, it is also clear to thank the excellent students at Edison High School who decided to give back during the holiday season. Project No. 3 — By Ava Gardner Blue for the brave: Honoring our local heroes Teen Leadership Corps pursued a project focusing on police appreciation to thank and recognize local police officers in the community. In honor of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, on Jan. 9, the class put together care bags, wrote cards and made banners for local police departments and the officers who serve and engage in the school. Teen Leadership Corps students made it a school-wide Police Appreciation Day in which students and staff were encouraged to wear blue to show support. This project promoted leadership, positivity, and respect — all meant to acknowledge the importance that police officers play in the school and community to keep everyone safe.