Positive Education Program, Willow Creek, 8 students
Grafton, Ohio
Adviser: Jessica Whitesel
Students across the country are stepping up to solve real challenges in their communities. At Positive Education Program (Willow Creek), a team of students saw a need and took action—demonstrating the power of empathy, problem-solving, and teamwork. Their project, Stingrays, is a testament to what’s possible when young leaders take charge.
The Need
At a school where students come from a variety of locations, creating a shared space to foster connection and community became a top priority. The student team recognized the importance of belonging and decided to create a designated lounge—a place to take a break, recharge, and practice important social skills.
The Project
The team began by meeting with their principal to identify an available room suitable for their vision. After receiving approval, they created a poster to communicate the purpose of the space and got to work clearing it out. They launched a targeted donation drive among students and staff to collect needed items. Once they received permission to paint—and had the color approved—they purchased supplies, prepped the space, and completed the transformation with fresh coats of paint.
The Results
The student lounge is now well underway, with donations already helping to bring the space to life. To support their continued progress, Lead4Change awarded the team a $3,500 grant to furnish the lounge with games, décor, and other key elements. A portion of the funding will also support the creation of a similar space for younger students in the building—extending the impact of their efforts and commitment to school pride.
Empowering Students to Lead with Purpose
These students didn’t just have a great idea—they had the leadership skills to bring it to life. That’s exactly what Lead4Change is all about.
Lead4Change is a free leadership curriculum that helps middle and high school students:
✅ Identify real needs in their communities
✅ Develop creative solutions
✅ Take meaningful action
Just like the students behind project Stingrays, your students have the potential to create real change—they just need the right tools.
Bring Leadership to Your Classroom
Help your students lead, serve, and make a difference with our free, ready-to-use curriculum.
Every student has the potential to be a great leader who gets big things done. Lead4Change unlocks that potential—empowering them to see a problem, take action, and create lasting impact in their communities.
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