In January of 2024, a new club at Shadow Ridge High School called Project 1, was created by junior, Neveah Clinton. Project 1 is a community service club that allows students to be more involved with their community and also allows the opportunity for students to meet new people here at Shadow Ridge.

Project 1 meetings are held after school hours in room 232, where students will discuss ideas to further help the Shadow Ridge community. Clinton created this club to provide sufficient community service, while also allowing a safe space for students to collaborate their ideas and make new friends.

Clinton states, “It’s a community service club that allows us to help the community and the school.” Clinton further elaborates ways that Project 1 will execute their goals, “Volunteering, fundraising, clean ups, food drives, any kind of drives.”

Project 1 plans to do big things to make the community and the school a better place.

Fundraising allows the club to bring more to Shadow Ridge and the club itself. Different types of drives can help provide those who are less fortunate with important resources, and clean ups influence a clean space for students here at Shadow Ridge.

Junior, Elise Williams, also a current member of Project 1, states, “The program teaches a sense of responsibility, helps gain practical experience, and supports health and well-being.”

Williams also explains that she joined the club, “To meet new people and help the community.”

Not only does the new club help others, but it can also help the individuals who participate in community service projects and gain these experiences. For example, students can learn to build connections with others and their own community, strengthen personal skills by putting forth original ideas, develop new and useful skills, and see a great improvement in mental and physical health.

Junior, newly student body historian, and current member of Project 1, Kennedy McQuarters, expresses, “Project 1 is honestly just a great way to get involved here at school.”

McQuarters also expresses her love for the Valentine’s Day grams that were being sold by the club, “I’m so excited because we got a lot of sales for the Valentine grams, the bracelets are so adorable, and on February 14th we’ll be passing out the grams to those who received them.”

The Project 1 Valentine’s Day grams were being sold by Clinton, along with other club members about 2 weeks before Valentine’s Day. Project 1 has raised quite a bit of money since then. The Valentine’s Day grams were a great way and opportunity for students to connect with each other, and also raise money for a good cause towards the club.

McQuarters states, “I’m so happy that I am able to support a friend in the creation of her new club, and gaining more opportunities to be more involved in the community.” She also states, “I think that this club can be for anyone that feels like they want to be more involved, wants to make new friends, or can bring ideas to the table.”

The club is for any student here at Shadow Ridge. Anyone can get the opportunity to give back to their own community and be more involved and aware overall. The Project 1 club was made to make the difference.