NORTH ROBINSON— A Colonel Crawford High School service group is busy creating events this school year and a popular post on the Colonel Crawford Local Schools Facebook page was created by Project B.L.A.C.K., as a tribute for Veterans Day.
Project B.L.A.C.K., which stands for Building Leadership and Creating Kindness, focuses on leadership and kindness.
Advisor Veronica Halberg said the group tries to organize activities that promote healthy choices and positive community involvement.
She said the group participates in Adopt-a-Family during the holiday season, organizes the “Mock Crash” or “Grim Reaper” programs to bring about awareness for the consequences of distracted or impaired driving, hosts the Colonel Crawford Talent Show and sponsors the Kindness and Integrity Awards at the end of the year. Other service projects include ringing the Salvation Army bell during the holidays, raking leaves, encouraging notes to students before exams and helping with larger school fundraising programs to help families in need.
Every year the group has also taken the lead on creating the Veterans Day assembly. Inspired by the Green Light Initiative, the students thought it would be impactful to spotlight the veterans closest to the Colonel Crawford school community.
“Asking the student body and staff to provide the names of friends and family members that have served in our nation’s military has become one of our favorite traditions,” said Halberg. “We have gone from just over 200 names that first year to well over 700 this year.”
She said the hope is that, by asking the students to contribute by finding the veterans in their lives, it would spark a dialog and show how close to home this holiday actually hits. Not wanting to break with tradition nor being hindered by COVID-19, the students in Project B.L.A.C.K. still collected the veterans’ names to be displayed in the school and to serve as a backdrop for their presentation.
Led by seniors Sydney Harris and Brandon Britt and junior Caleb Christman, a script was completed and the names compiled to create the visual display. As with everything else, this year’s assembly came with the added challenge of not being able to congregate as in the past.
Halberg said the challenges did not impede progress on the project at all.
“These kids do not have to be told what to do. They see the task and do it, or see the problem and solve it. They see the value in what they are working on and work with pride and without complaint,” Halberg said.
With the cooperation of choir director Mrs. Eachus and her three choir groups, band director Mr. Cooper and the band and the computer skills of Mrs. Ashley, the group was able to create a complete virtual assembly with a soundtrack that encourages the viewer to reflect on the sacrifices of those who have served. Many of the students came in on the prior weekend to tie up loose ends and prepare for the recordings on Monday, Nov. 9. Each part was then recorded and pieced together for viewing on Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The virtual assembly was posted to YouTube and can be viewed by clicking here.
Senior Sydney Harris said it’s a highlight of her final year in school.
“I’m really thankful to be able to play such a large role alongside my classmates in this year’s assembly.”
Colonel Crawford Local Schools provides education to over 900 students from preschool through 12th grade. The district offers a curriculum with a wide range of electives and comprehensive courses of study in college preparatory, vocational and physical education programs. The district’s mission is to enable students to grow academically and socially by providing a safe, positive and challenging learning environment