Country of Residence
United States
Age
16
Project title
Dance for a Difference
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
We will turn the Native American cultural dance event into a community showcase where admission is a canned or non-perishable food donation.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
haworth.k12.ok.us
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
I live in the heart of Choctaw Nation. We have a high population of Native students. I saw a need to share that culture and help combat childhood food insecurities. Our state discontinued the third meal program, and many of the students here are going home from school hungry. With this project, we can spread the love for the local culture, while collecting food to ensure that no student goes without.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
I am trying to showcase cultural diversity while also combating hunger. We are in a high poverty area, and our state discontinued the third meal program. Students sometimes have an hour or longer bus ride to get home. The third meal used to send them home with a full stomach, but without it, students are going home hungry.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
By combining a Native cultural learning workshop with a food drive, we can ensure that students are not going without food. We can also show the love for our culture and spread awareness.
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
I hope that the project will fill the pantry in our district, so that Student Council, JOM, and drama club volunteers can pack snack bags for the remainder of the school year. I do not want any child leaving on the bus who is hungry.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
We are combining a food drive with a cultural community event in hopes of driving more people through the door to donate to our cause, while spreading awareness of food insecurities and cultural awareness.
How many people are on your team?
60
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
We will have the members of the high school student council, the drama club, and the Johnson O'Malley students. Sponsors of those organizations plan to help.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
Student Council Role: Venue booking, promotion/marketing, food donation collection logistics, and event setup/teardown. JOM Role: Cultural leadership, teaching history and significance of the dances, and leading the performance/demonstration. Drama Role: Stage management, lighting/sound assistance, and co-performing/assisting during workshops.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
The student council, JOM students and advisors, and drama club are behind this project.
