Projects With Purpose:

Student Stories That Spark Conversation

Eighth graders at Lift For Life Academy are learning how to turn personal experiences into powerful messages through a new project-based assignment. The goal of the unit is to help students research meaningful topics and create multimedia projects that encourage, inform, and motivate their peers. Project-based learning teacher Mr. Devin Chavers said: "I wanted them to think about the conflicts we all encounter on a daily basis, both internal and external, and then choose a topic that feels personal. The project gives them a voice and a chance to create something that can truly make an impact."

Project-based learning (PBL) is a teaching method where students learn by actively engaging in real-world projects to answer a complex question or solve a problem. This approach focuses on students acquiring knowledge and skills through inquiry, collaboration, and the creation of a tangible product or presentation, rather than through traditional lectures and tests. For this project, students selected issues they care about and are producing slideshows, posters, videos, and presentations to share their findings to educate their peers. For A’ryah E., the topic of environmental sustainability stood out. She chose to focus on plastic waste after learning how much plastic production affects the environment and harms animals. A’ryah said, "Nobody ever picks this topic and I wanted to pick something different. I like that we get to present it and make a slideshow and poster to inform my peers."

Lauren F. chose to explore the racism faced by Black ballerinas, a topic connected to her own childhood experiences in dance. She researched trailblazer Lydia Abarca Mitchell, who trained at Juilliard and became the founding and the first prima ballerina of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Lauren said, "I used to do ballet and I was the only Black girl in the room. Once I noticed that, I wanted things to change. I want people to learn that all ballerinas can dance." She added that she enjoys the project because she had freedom in picking her topic and she’s excited to share what she has learned with her classmates.

The project continues to highlight the creativity and insight of LFLA students as they use research to spark conversations and encourage positive change within their school community.

Creating Joyful Readers at LFLA Elementary

Lift For Life Academy Elementary School is participating in a schoolwide Reading Challenge designed to build excitement, confidence, and a love of reading among students. Each child is tracking the number of minutes they read daily, whether at home, during independent reading time in class, or while enjoying a favorite book just for fun. Principal Danielle Price shared, "We want students to see reading as something they look forward to every day, not just an assignment."

To create additional opportunities for engagement, Ms. Price has opened the school library during lunch periods so students can explore new books and enjoy reading with friends. Teachers are also encouraging students to record minutes spent reading for enjoyment during class, which helps reinforce that reading is both valuable and enjoyable beyond required work.

The challenge has already sparked tremendous enthusiasm among students. They are logging minutes with pride, especially since they know that reaching the schoolwide goal will lead to something fun and silly happening to Ms. Price, like wearing a funny costume for a day or getting silly stringed at recess. Students have already reported about 4,500 reading minutes since the start of the challenge in Mid-October. With this level of excitement, the school is well on its way to reaching its goal of 50,000 reading minutes by the end of the school year in May!

Podcast for Gun Safety:

Students Lead the Conversation for Change

Students from Lift For Life Academy and Normandy Schools were invited to join Confluence Academies in recording a new episode of “Confluence Conversations,” a podcast that spotlights young leaders and the issues shaping their daily lives. This episode focused on gun safety, reuniting student ambassadors and partners who had participated earlier this year in The Movement, Not the Moment March for an honest conversation about responsibility, advocacy, and hope.

For many of the students, the topic of gun violence feels unavoidable. Armani H, Senior Class President at Lift for Life Academy, shared that even without direct personal experience, the threat of gun violence is always present. “You hear about people our age being victims of stray bullets and gun violence, and it’s something that we shouldn’t be subject to,” Armani said. “Talking about it is the first step.” Armani described participating in The Movement, Not the Moment March in Spring of 2025 as a defining moment and said it was “powerful” to see so many teens standing together for one message.

Following the podcast recording, students joined Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard of the 10th Ward; Farrakhan Shegog, the President of Young Voices with Action; and Representative Marla Smith of Missouri House District 74 for an open panel discussion. During the session, LFLA senior Jayla G. emphasized that meaningful change starts with understanding how systems work. She shared that “if we look back into our history we would understand where to go with it” and stressed the importance of knowing the difference between federal and state roles when advocating for solutions. Jayla also highlighted the impact of the Office of Violence Prevention for the city of St. Louis, noting that gun violence has decreased since the office was created., She encouraged her peers to stay engaged even when adults are not watching. “People with guns are dealing with something internally,” she said, “but we are the external people that can help them.”

Throughout the podcast and the panel, one message rose above the rest. Young voices matter, especially when paired with action. These students are choosing to speak up, support one another, and push for safer communities across St. Louis. Their leadership shows that this is more than a moment. It is a movement built on courage, collaboration, and a commitment to real change.

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