Students and leaders of Hempfield Area School District's Practical Civics class, “Project 18,” were honored with a proclamation from state and local officials at this month's school board meeting.
The elective class is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Originally, this system was promoted under the initiative of the government after the right to vote was given to 18-year-olds. Hempfield's iteration of the class is the only one that remains after half a century. Through this course, students participate in volunteer activities and learn about local and state politics.
The school board read a proclamation praising the program from the Hempfield Area School Board and township superintendent.
Proclamations from the state General Assembly were also received by Senate President pro tempore Kim Ward and state Rep. Eric Nelson, both Republicans from Hempfield.
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• Hempfield celebrates 50 years of civics classes.
• First-hand experience eliminates boredom in western Pennsylvania civics classes
Teacher Ken Storr highlighted the work ethic of the 89 students participating in Project 18 this year. The program plans to further expand for the 2024-25 academic year, and he already has 120 students enrolled.
“I think they represent a lot of what’s best about Hempfield,” Stoff said. “We have star athletes, we have academic all-stars, but they are all civic all-stars who know their communities, understand local and state government, and contribute to their communities.
“We want everyone to recognize that this is the right message that as a Hempfield area, we value serving our community.”
In the future, Stoff hopes to expand Project 18. At the meeting, he brought up the idea of a Quiz Team His League that could bring Project 18's civics curriculum to other schools in the county, and proposed a program in which Project 18 high school students could share their ideas. I am learning with lower grade students.
Project 18 student body president Nick Miller thanked the school board members for supporting all of Stoff's work and programs.
“It's a little scary to know that this is the only school left that runs this program, but I plan to continue this program. And I hope that people will be able to read this program 50 years from now. “I watched the news and heard that Project 18 was still doing great things,” Miller said.
Board members praised the program's effectiveness. Several of them noted that students asked thoughtful and thought-provoking questions during visits where school board candidates spoke to Project 18 classes, the mainstay of the program.
“I have three children who have participated in this program, so I can personally speak to how great this program is,” said board member Mike Alferi. “I personally have seen children grow tremendously through this experience.”
“Getting together and meeting everyone was the best part of the campaign,” said board member Tracy Miller.
“It was very interesting because there were so many stories that you don't often hear from students, and I was able to think more like a student than an adult.I will continue to carry that experience with me.''
Board Vice Chairman Scott Rahn said the experience of working with Project 18 volunteers on the campaign was humbling.
He supports the idea of sharing the program with other schools.
“I think Project 18 is great,” he said. “We can really spread our wings and help this issue. If everyone steps up and tries to bring it to these neighborhoods, we can create better neighborhoods and better places to live. You can get it.”
Julia Malka is a TribLive reporter covering health and the Greensburg and Hempfield areas. She joined the tribe in 2022 after working for the Butler Eagle, which serves southwestern Butler County. Contact her at jmaruca@triblive.com.
