Ciara Barstow and Kayla Chavier
Staff Writers

Constant expectations for teenagers can eliminate time to be involved in community service. School, after school activities, and sports can block availability for volunteer opportunities. Libby Porter, the curriculum coordinator of the Social Studies department, created the Power of One class at the beginning of this year to address this issue.  This half-year class gives students the opportunity to be involved in community service in and out of school.

“It’s a combination course of doing community service […] and [to] let students work with each other, with our support, to identify, organize, plan, and execute these community service projects of their choice,” said Porter.

Students are enjoying the opportunity to make a difference in their community and having a class period designated to specific projects.

Recently, the Power of One class was involved in their first project, St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen.  On October 7th, the students fed over 100 people after raising approximately 300 dollars.  Participants were able to purchase and serve fruit and pizza from Little Caesars to members of the community.

“It was really great to see all we worked hard for come together and work out.  We were a little nervous, but it all worked out,” said Jack Leeber, a student in the Power of One class.

In addition to recently working at St. Paul’s kitchen, the students prepare for future projects.  These may include assisting in a program to stand up against bullying, helping to organize the Toys for Tots at Westford Academy, and in other areas such as supporting the Humane Society.

“Come November, we’re actually going to an event that’s called “Stand Up to Bullying”, and this year it’s at Fenway Park,” said Leeber.  “It’s a workshop about […] bringing anti-bullying campaigns to your school and how you can make a difference in your community.”

To increase awareness of different projects, Porter invites speakers to classes at WA. They discuss local organizations and personal stories that motivated them to be involved in their community.   Listening to speakers also allows students to consider the role of community service in their futures.

Porter especially recognizes the chance this class provides to students to improve relations with other people.  She hopes that students involved in this class can improve their personal and academic life and can learn values, such as cooperation, teamwork, and discipline imperative to future professions.

A main focus in this class is allowing students to research and organize their own projects.

“It’s an opportunity for students to become more empowered, so that they realize that despite this crazy world we live in, […] you as an individual can make a difference. But it takes some work. […] It takes some skill, energy, and effort, but it is possible.  If [students] can feel better about themselves, then they will be more successful in life in general,” said Porter.

The Power of One class includes not only face-to-face learning but also online learning.  It utilizes online resources to research different service projects or to blog.

“Digital Learning is clearly a part of Westford Academy now and many colleges will offer online classes as part of your college career,” said Porter. “With this course, it is part online and [part face-to-face], so it gives us an opportunity […] to always come back to the classroom.”

Students are given individual research sessions at least once or twice a week.  Using iPads or laptops, students visit designated areas to research different ideas or answer blog questions. What is researched is then be discussed in class on a different day.

“It [the class] just gives us more time to make more of a difference in our community,” said Leeber.