RaiderNet

Every year, Ms. Florio challenges her tenth grade Honors English class to create community projects that will have lasting and meaningful impacts on the community. She said, “The projects students choose to work on to benefit the community come from them and their own interests.”

Below is a list of all the students and what they are doing for their community projects.

Fulton Wildlife and Nature Preservation

Akeyva Wright, Justin Atwater, Brandi Carr

*education of Fulton residents about the local wildlife and plants by placing informational signs around the lake

Fulton Dog Park Project

Sidney Bradshaw, Skyler Gibson

*establishing a dog park at Rowlee Park

“Homes for the Bats”

Olivia Hawthorne

*putting up bat houses in designated locations in the city to help the local ecosystem

Bible Study Elective

Kyleigh Halligan, Jacob Holmes

*wanting to gauge interest in, and possibilities for, a Bible study focus in school

“Protect our Pets”

Kaylee Hutchins, Ella Hicks, Makayla Kitts

*working with the SPCA to conduct a supplies drive and education about animal welfare

“Park Revitalization Enforcement”

David Cordone, Anthony Epolito, Zach Eggleton, Sam Thompson

*focus on Patrick Park - adding benches and revitalizing it

“Seeds of Change”

Sammy McRae, Ella Henderson, Mackenzie Treneer, Emily Grant, Alena Wright, Dom Abbott, Ben Demars

*leading a city-wide event on June 8 (Van Buren Park) with a variety of activities for kids and the community

Children’s Outreach and Wildlife Education

Ana Marroquin Aguilar

*using church outreach programs to educate children about local bird populations

“Project Raider Pride”

Sennayeawauss Clinard, Leah Kingsbury

*working to bring “Raider Pride” to the school and community

Leah Kingsbury chose the project "Raider Pride" because she wishes to boost school morale and get Raider Pride to be forefront in her school. She has not noticed people being excited about school events or functions and she would like to change this.

Many students have reached out to community organizations for help and guidance. On May 14 a few of the students presented their project ideas to Fulton’s Recreation Committee at City Hall. The committee included Don Patrick, Sam Vovo, Dennis Merlino, Larry Macner, Bob Weston, Fred Cavalier, and Barry Ostrander.

Sidney Bradshaw and Skyler Gibson described their vision of a dog park at Rowlee Park with the help and collaboration of Friends of Fulton Parks. Akeyva Wright presented on behalf of her group and explained how they wanted to put signs up along the trail surrounding Lake Neatahwanta. The signs would provide information about specific inhabitants of Lake Neatahwanta, including plants and animals, and how to protect them.

The committee was very receptive to their ideas and were willing to help and assist them. They were very happy to see youth becoming so involved with their community and seeing all their hard work being put into projects they are passionate about.

Ms. Florio describes the experience of guiding them through “the process of seeing their goals realized" as truly rewarding. She is extremely proud of their work and knows that they will carry their experiences with them for the rest of their lives.

Ms. Florio talked about Student Senate's ongoing project of Feeding Children Everywhere and how they are still trying to raise $3000. They are looking for volunteers to help package food on June 15 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Fulton Junior High gymnasium.

You can donate funds directly to their project at the following link: https://www.feedingchildreneverywhere.com/events/g-ray-bodley-hs-student-senate/

If you have any questions or are interested in helping with this project, please contact Danielle Florio at Dflorio@fulton.cnyric.org