McCracken County High School, 11 students
Paducah, KY
Adviser: Lauren Williams
Students across the country are stepping up to solve real challenges in their communities. At McCracken County High School, a team of students saw a need and took action—demonstrating the power of leadership, problem-solving, and compassion. Their project, McCracken County FCCLA, is a testament to what’s possible when young leaders take charge.
The Need
A team of students at Warren East High School FCCLA set a heartfelt goal: to create 30 handmade bears to be distributed to students in their district experiencing homelessness. They wanted each bear to offer a small but meaningful source of comfort during a difficult time.
The Project
With guidance from their adviser, the students learned to operate their school’s embroidery machine and created a prototype bear. Once they finalized the design, they launched a fabric donation drive—requesting gently used blankets and clothing from fellow students and staff. Knowing that a single blanket could yield fabric for three bears, their resourceful approach quickly built a fabric stockpile.
They also invited the district liaison for homeless student services to join them for a bear-making session, offering a firsthand look at the love and effort behind each one. This liaison would ultimately be responsible for distributing the completed bears to students in need. Working together, the team cut, sewed, stuffed, and hand-stitched each bear with care.
The Result
Despite an equipment setback, the students completed 27 of their 30-bear goal. Their work received attention beyond the district, earning a feature in a Kentucky Department of Education newsletter. In support of their effort and to ensure the project’s sustainability, Lead4Change awarded the team a $5,500 grant to purchase additional sewing machines and materials for future initiatives.
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 McCracken County FCCLA, your students have the potential to create real change—they just need the right tools.
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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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