Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Small differences make big changes
WMU students earn finalist spot in a challenge that asked them to identify a problem and find a solution
WINFIELD — “Time For Change Challenge” hosted by Ashoka and First Book named a group of six Winfield-Mt. Union seventh-grade choir students finalists in a contest designed to “spark transformative changemaking journeys in young people.”
According to First Book, the contest asked students to solve a challenge they see every day as young people, and that’s what Collin Pogmore, MacKenzie McSorley, Arabella Coberly, Abigail Palmer, Alyssa Huston and Brilynn Novak did.
Lindsey Pogmore stated that she first heard of the contest thanks to her continued partnership with First Book, a program that she and other WMU teachers utilize to provide books to classrooms.
“One day during choir rehearsal, when there was an incentive of a $50 certificate for all completed applications, groups brainstormed about something small that they could change that would make an impact on their school,” Lindsey Pogmore explained. “The students decided that something that everyone always needed was pencils, and sometimes kids didn’t have them.”
Collin Pogmore says he shot the idea of putting pencil dispensers in classrooms, “because I always run out of pencils.” While he initially volunteered the idea of using a straw dispenser and filling it with pencils as a joke, his teammates picked it up and ran with it.
With that first $50 incentive, the students purchased a dispenser and 360 pencils. While the first dispenser is not exactly the right fit, they plan to find the right dispenser and place it in the classroom that has the greatest need for pencils.
Among over 300 entries nationwide, this group landed a place as one of the top 50 finalists and received additional funds which they intend to use to expand their idea to hopefully all classrooms at some point. McSoley and Huston are already brainstorming potential fundraising ideas to obtain enough funds to bring their idea to fruition.
“The students are excited to work as a team and do something to improve their school,” Lindsey Pogmore said. “It’s awesome that they are excited, and that they have plans for the future of this project! There was some great discussion of how small things can make big differences. Good work, kids!”
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
