Most kids in EAST programs are driven and creative, and my class is no different. Each person brings their own unique vision and capabilities to our EAST program. However, my class is unique in our school because my EAST class absolutely has the most heart.

My class has focused their attention from the very beginning on helping others. In one of the most challenging years many of us have experienced, my class identified a lot of problems they thought could be fixed. From their earliest brainstorms, they consistently focused on what they could do to make their community a better place. They created some of the strongest service-minded projects at our school,. Listening to them critique project ideas and discuss how it would best help others would make any adult listening think, "The kids are alright."

Although they have the opportunity to work individually to develop any project they want, my class chose to work as a whole class. They consistently focus on what can make them strong as a team. They're friendly, quirky, and sweet. They help each other, and they never argue and bicker like you see in most group dynamics in a school. They are just a nice group of people.

My class consistently chooses community and teamwork over individualism. That is what makes them the most unique in a program of special people. I'm so lucky to have been their teacher this year. I'm proud of how much they have learned and how much they have grown, and I know that they will do amazing things in the future.