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PROJECT SOPHISTICATION & INNOVATION: A Cornerstone of EAST
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Lakeside High School - Hot Springs
Meet The Team:
Ben Willard: 11th Grade
Evan Meyers: 11th Grade
Adrian Arias: 11th Grade
Sarah Nutt: 11th Grade
Christian Lambaren: 10th Grade
Reese Vines: 9th Grade
Sabrina Bledsoe: 9th Grade
Abby Brown: 9th Grade
Brody Luke: 9th Grade
Tre’Von Toatley: 9th Grade
Joshua Weed: 9th Grade
Emily Frick: 9th Grade John Stokes: Facilitator
Meet the EAST Conference team of Lakeside High School - Hot Springs, the recipients of the Cornerstone Award for Project Innovation and Sophistication. What does that fancy phrase mean? It means that these students have demonstrated excellence through projects and service with a high level of technology that has enhanced their learning and the lives of the members of their community. Here’s what they had to say about being well supported and how it helped them reach their goals.
How did you decide what category of Cornerstone you were going to submit for?
EAST Team: The team wanted to submit for the Founder’s Award but decided to submit materials for a Cornerstone category instead.The team created a video with edge to really show the innovation of our program. We knew that we had a real chance at winning this Cornerstone category if we were not selected for Founder’s.
What category would be a close second for your program?
Reece: The program is built on the EAST principles, so we reflect all three, but if we had to choose, it would be Community and Collaboration since we could still meet and work with partners in the middle of the pandemic.
How did it feel knowing that you won prior to conference this year?
Sabrina: Winning is always a feeling of justification. Having it announced before the EAST Conference is great because people know that you have won and can seek help or advice on their projects from your team.
Share with us how you told your community partners, school admins, and family members about the award and some of their responses and reactions.
Josh: Our administration, community partners, and families of our students have had a rough year. People are tired, stressed, and nervous about school-related things that have shifted due to the pandemic. The highlight for us was about showing that education is still working and what they are helping us do has meaning. It provided a pause to the feeling of being constantly on edge. This means that we have grown as a program winning the first award in EAST at Lakeside. It means something really big for us.
Out of all the projects that you highlighted, what was the team’s favorite?
Tre’Von: We are very territorial over our projects, so we all feel that our projects are the best; however, if we had to pick the one that got the most interest from the conference attendees, that was the Ram Ridge Bike Trail. It was awesome to see the interest.
What would take your projects to the next level?
Sarah: Projects can always be better; Mr. Stokes says there is always something that can enhance it. We think the next step to enhance our program would be to develop an advisory board. The input from the community and our partners would be a great addition to our planning and project outcomes.
Are you applying to be a part of the Founder’s Circle next year?
Evan: We have been working very hard to grow the program. We always have the Founder’s Award as a goal. Since Mr. Stokes began teaching here, he has changed the culture. He is a goal-oriented person, and he stresses the importance of planning and following through. We have done big projects successfully and impressed the community. They are noticing the program. Our clients have noticed the skills and services we extend, and they see a program they can be proud of. We are looking for ways to increase the number of our customers, and we are very hopeful that EAST will see our efforts. I think that every EAST Program wants a Founder’s Award, and we are no exception. We have received some awards from organizations outside of EAST, and that recognition is awesome, but we would love to represent EAST and Garland County as a Founder’s Winner.
To learn more about EAST @ LHS, follow them on social media!
Facebook: Lakeside School District
