EVERYONE NEEDS A Boost

Senna worked for months to develop her proposal and to hone her presentation. She solicited feedback from trusted advisors and leveraged her connections for introductions to decision makers. Organized, prepared, and nervous, she joins the conference call and pitches her idea to leadership at All Children’s Hospital Foundation. Her vision: An automated online matching system for hospital patients and volunteers, aligned by interest, that enables volunteers to make a direct impact on sick children in their community.

In addition to connecting patients with loving volunteers, the system will streamline the matching process and reduce staff time devoted to volunteer management. Once developed, it will be scalable and replicable. Hospital leadership agrees; her idea is accepted and the Need a Boost Foundation is born. She was ecstatic to launch the program. She was also in the eighth grade.

Senna Prasatthong-osoth, Shorecrest Class of 2019, created the Need a Boost Foundation as the crowning component of her eighth grade Passion Project. Her volunteer matching system proposal is currently under review of the development council at All Children’s Hospital Foundation to ensure that it maintains patient privacy and employs the appropriate technology. According to Jenine Rabin, Executive Vice President of All Children’s Hospital Foundation, “This project has a big vision and is filled with great intention and heart. I was impressed that an eighth grader would think to try and coordinate an initiative like this.” Inspired by the mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Senna knew she wanted to do something similar for her community. “I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time, especially for All Children’s” recalls Senna, who has a deep connection with the organization. Both of Senna’s parents are active staff members of All Children’s Hospital’s Department of Surgery and her father Dan, a Shorecrest Class of ‘84 alumnus, serves on the All Children’s Hospital Foundation Board. Senna has volunteered with All Children’s on and off over the years, but balancing academic, extracurricular, and family commitments didn’t leave the time she needed to complete a project of this magnitude. When her teachers charged Senna and her classmates with their Passion Project assignment, she knew exactly the direction she’d take. 

The eighth grade Passion Project is a Shorecrest tradition that began in 2007. According to Head of Middle School Jonathan Davis, “It’s the ultimate open-ended project.” Formerly known as the ‘Personal Project’ the name evolved with the project’s results—students were identifying and pursuing their passions. Kathryn Jeakle, an eighth grade teacher who served as Senna’s project advisor, says the name change is a poignant one. “We have now captured what it truly is—a moment in our Middle School that gives our students a chance to showcase something they are passionate about. It is about them, not about what anyone else wants. It is about what excites them, something they want to spend the extra time on, something they have wanted to do but never had the chance to complete.” Introduced just before Winter Break, the Passion Project is a semester-long, in-depth exploration into an area of each student’s choosing. The projects have varied widely over the years and among students. Some eighth graders have written novels and books of poetry or learned a new instrument; some have raised guide dogs or learned beekeeping. In recent years a student built a solar-powered go-kart, while others planned, promoted and hosted a fundraising benefit concert.

The Passion Project has no tests or grades, but rather culminates in a year-end expo where students can showcase their projects for their teachers, classmates and parents. “We know the real reward for such a personal project is an intrinsic one,” says Davis. Jeakle says, “The project presentations are very special to many of our students. It’s a moment to show their fellow classmates who they really are. It’s an evening to celebrate each other.” 

Over the past few years there has been a marked increase in service-related projects. Middle School Head Jonathan Davis reflects, “In the past three years we’ve emphasized making a community connection when possible.” A number of Senna’s classmates also had service-related projects that made a big impact.

What’s more, through this self-directed eighth grade project, students are identifying—or ruling out—interests that help them make course decisions when choosing electives in Upper School, as well as when selecting and applying to college. Shorecrest Director of College Counseling Tiffany Blessing says, “We in the College Center love the eighth grade Passion Project. It’s a time for meaningful reflection that can really aid in self-discovery, and thus, college preparation and acceptance. When I have a student who took on a personal project in eighth grade who has continued to pursue that interest throughout his or her high school experience, and can speak to how that will parlay on a college campus, it’s a strong story for a college admissions committee.”

For Senna, whose project work is still ongoing, that eighth grade experience nurtured her passion for helping her community. It also taught her about overcoming obstacles. Advisor Kathryn Jeakle recalls, “Senna ran into several issues when she began her project. Due to her age, she was not able to actually complete work within the hospital and access to patients was going to be almost impossible.” She continues, “There were several moments when Senna did not feel like things were going to work out but she kept plugging away. I am very proud of Senna's determination in continuing to trudge through her plan even when things were working against her.” Senna offers, “I’m very motivated now, realizing what I am capable of and what a difference I can make in my community.” 

Excerpted from the Winter 2016 edition of "Shorecrest Magazine". View the full magazine here.

Do you have a similar story to share? Send your story and photos to [email protected] for a chance to be featured in Shorecrest publications!