Massaponax High School
High School, 5 students
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Adviser: Jessica White
Students across the country are stepping up to solve real challenges in their communities. At Massaponax High School, a team of students saw a need and took action—demonstrating the power of leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork. Their project, Ponax FBLA, is a testament to what’s possible when young leaders take charge.
The Need:
Within their school district, there is an educational and cultural center serving six unique student populations. However, because the center is not classified as a traditional school, it does not receive a librarian or have a designated library. A team of FBLA students recognized that the lack of access to books limited both the learning resources and motivation of the students served at the center. Their inspiration came from their own FBLA adviser, who had previously donated books to a teaching colleague at the center after learning her students had no books to choose from. That simple act sparked a deeper commitment from the team. With some of the center’s students having once been their peers, the team was driven by a shared goal: to help every student at the center feel a sense of belonging and access the tools to grow before returning to their home schools.
The Project:
The team collaborated with their school librarian to identify books that were both high-interest and appropriate for the reading levels of the center’s students. They also included their own favorite titles—books that had inspired them or promoted their love of reading. To collect donations, they launched a school-wide book drive promoted through social media, flyers, and a school-produced commercial. They also reached out to local businesses for support.
The Results:
Using $300 raised during their FBLA chapter’s winter fundraiser, the team purchased bookshelves for the center. The book drive brought in nearly 500 books, and local service league donated additional books which were used to establish three “Little Libraries” tailored to the various programs housed at the educational and cultural center. These mini libraries are stocked with books that students can borrow, take home, or replenish with their own donations—creating a sustainable and welcoming space for reading.
To complete their vision, the team applied for and received an $1,800 Lead4Change grant, which will be used to purchase the remaining books from their Amazon Wish List and fully stock the shelves for ongoing use.
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 Ponax FBLA, 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.
GET ACCESS NOWAlready using Lead4Change? We’d love to hear your stories of impact. Send us an email, or find us on social.