Centennial Middle School
Middle School, 62 students
Yuma, Arizona
Adviser: Rachel Baker
Students across the country are stepping up to solve real challenges in their communities. At the Centennial Middle School, a team of students saw a need and took action—demonstrating the power of leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. Their project, CTMS Leaders of the Pack, is a testament to what’s possible when young leaders take charge.
The Need:
In 2023, over 3,300 families in Yuma County were affected by domestic violence, and 18.9% of the population faced housing insecurity. Moved by these statistics, a group of students set a goal last November to collect 100 pairs of new socks for Crossroads Mission, a local homeless and addiction recovery shelter. They hoped to provide comfort and basic support to those in crisis.
The Project:
The students began by securing approval from school leadership to launch their initiative. They titled the campaign “Fill the Box with Socks” and promoted it through posters in the hallways and daily announcements. They created a plan to track and manage the collection, organized logistics for delivery to the mission, and later developed a presentation to share the project’s impact with the school board.
The Results:
The students far exceeded their original goal, collecting an impressive 800 pairs of socks. During the process, they learned through their school counselor that some of their own classmates were living at Crossroads Mission—highlighting the very real and personal nature of the need. With this in mind, the team submitted a grant proposal to expand their impact.
In recognition of their initiative and insight, Lead4Change awarded a $5,322 grant, issued to the school’s PTSO. The funds will be used to create and distribute hygiene and care kits to three local missions, ensuring even more individuals in their community receive the essentials they need.
“Watching their self-confidence grow and their awareness expand was eye-opening. I realized how often we, as adults, unintentionally limit students by underestimating what they’re capable of. This program (Lead4Change) shattered those restraints.” — Rachel Baker, Adviser
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 CTMS Leaders of the Pack, 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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