This past month, freshman Life classes created slideshows about ways to improve the school. Groups of two to five students met during class to brainstorm ideas and build proposals together. It gave freshmen a chance to think creatively about changes they want to see around campus.
Ideas included parking lot changes, reopening the café, and fundraising plans. Presentations needed at least five slides, with each slide covering a different part of the proposal. Students had to clearly explain their ideas while making them organized, detailed, and easy to understand.
Students included a title slide with group names. Other slides explained the idea, benefits for students, what materials were needed, and enough detail to show how the project could realistically happen. This helped students practice planning, organization, and presentation skills together.
Freshmen were encouraged to add visuals, inclusivity reasons, benefits, budgets, and possible challenges. After finishing their projects, students presented them to their individual Life classes. Each presentation allowed classmates to hear new ideas and consider which proposal would best help the school.
Students then voted for the project they believed would truly benefit the campus. On April 28, every freshman Life class went to the PAC theater. There, class representatives presented selected proposals to the rest of the Class of 2029 during a larger showcase.
The presentations took most of Life class. Afterwards, students returned to class and voted again. In the end, Sophia Parra and Leah Campbell impressed students with their plan to renew the stairway mural leading downstairs.
“Sophia and I presented the idea of renovating and refurbishing the mural by the stairs that lead down to the weight room.” says Leah Campbell.
“We’re hoping it can help bring even more school spirit knowing that walking down those stairs, you might know a few people on it. It can also encourage people to join our sports and clubs along with making the school feel more inclusive.”
Sophia and Leah also offered to help begin the project themselves, showing their dedication to improving the school. Their willingness to lead stood out to many students and staff members who watched the presentations and saw the effort behind their creative idea.
Sophia Parra states, “I’m planning to stay really committed to this project, actually putting in the time to make sure it’s something students feel proud of every day, not just something that looks good for a moment. We hope the mural brings a sense of pride and unity especially to those who walk past it every day, and that people feel seen and represented when they look at it.”
Overall, the project gave freshmen a chance to share ideas and make their voices heard. It also showed how students can work together, solve problems, and take pride in making positive changes that improve their school community for everyone.