At Christ Our King – Stella Maris School, community and service are not just an extracurricular activity. They are embedded in each area of the school day and a part of the culture. Each year, eighth grade students dive into a year-long service project that not only builds empathy and leadership but strengthens their connection to the community beyond the school’s walls. Young people are given the space to discover that their time, talents and compassion can truly make a difference to those around them.
The service project is a cornerstone of the school year. Throughout the academic year, students identify a local need, connect with a community organization and design a project to help. There are few limitations on their project selections which allows for passion to take the front seat in what they choose. One student, for example, planted grass along waterways to prevent erosion. Another group led a three-pronged initiative for Wings for Kids that included a bake sale, toy drive and clothing collection. While most of the projects are completed individually, there are also collaborative projects that combine various passions to support one organization.
Throughout the year, students learn real life problem-solving and data collection by tracking their progress and charting their impact. Their findings are then compiled and presented at the annual Crusader Fest. Students present their findings along with the impact that their projects have made on their chosen organization. The results are powerful and incredibly moving for all that attend.
The preparation for these projects is just as meaningful as the delivery. First students delve deeper into the community by asking questions about those around them. Can I identify a need?
What is this organization’s mission? What can I realistically do to help? Once a desired organizational partnership is identified, it is then the student’s responsibility to reach out and gain permission. This helps build soft skills while also holding students accountable to the organization which they hope to impact. The entire process homes in on a different set of skills and prepares students for future endeavors along with developing important soft skills for employment later in life.
While the staff and faculty recognize that it may be challenging to start the process, they note that once students have begun their journey, they often become enthralled and truly passionate about making an impact. When Crusader Fest arrives, it is clear how invested and passionate each student is about the project that they have chosen. “It’s more than apparent that they are proud of what they’ve accomplished,” a teacher reflected. “They now truly believe their actions matter – even at a young age.”
The thoughtfulness and innovation behind these projects are awe-inspiring. Many groups went beyond expectations, setting measurable goals and tracking their success with data and visual displays. These are students thinking critically, planning strategically and serving joyfully. They begin the year hesitantly, unsure of what they can offer. But through each planning meeting, email, collection and delivery, something shifts. They become advocates. Problem-solvers. Givers. “There’s so much kids can offer,” said one teacher. “And once they realize that you can’t stop them.”
This program is more than a school assignment; it’s a calling answered in small acts of generosity and bold acts of leadership. It teaches students to lift their eyes, look beyond themselves and respond to the world around them with empathy and action. That’s not just service; it’s mission in motion.
Organizations from all over the community are impacted and include but are not limited to the following: Special Olympics South Carolina, Keep Charleston Beautiful, One80Place, Operation Vet Fit, School on Wheels, Team Trees, Ruby’s Rainbow, Friends of Santa, MUSC-Neonatal, Star Gospel Mission, Lowcountry Food Bank, Books for Kids, and Lifeline.
We Give Wednesdays is another program that helps to integrate Christ Our King’s mission even further. During this program, a class leads Mass and chooses a local cause for the school to support. This helps to reinforce the idea that students should constantly be asking themselves, “Why do we help others? What does it mean to serve?”
These are just two examples of how Christ Our King – Stella Maris School strives to instill charity, respect and outreach pillars in all students.
For more information, visit coksm.org.
By Cari Lawson
Leave a Reply