Project

18 Celebrates 50 Years of Civics Education

This upcoming school year marks the 50th anniversary of the Project 18 program at Hempfield Area High School. Project 18 is a course dedicated to teach students about state and local government. The class was originally created by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in response to 18-year-olds receiving the right to vote. Hempfield Area is the only school district in Pennsylvania that still offers the course.

The award-winning class has made a positive impact in the community. Registering voters, completing community service, becoming educated voters and even running for office themselves are only a few significant contributions the class has provided for its students. Project 18 teacher Mr. Ken Stough describes the class as a nonpartisan focus on how people can get involved with state and local governments as opposed to federal.

To kickoff the anniversary celebration, Stough and his previous 77 students held their annual high school talent show with a few extra surprises last spring. The two founders of the program, Mr. Jim Steeley Sr. and Mr. Rich Redmerski, were both in attendance as the 2023 Project 18 President Blake Naegar announced the creation of a new scholarship named in honor of Redmerski, who taught the course for 30 years.

“The reason it’s only in Hempfield now is it’s hard to teach; you have to be into it and create new materials every year,” said Stough. “It’s really a testament to him (Redmerski) that the class stayed alive all those years.”

After the scholarship announcement, Representative Eric Nelson (R-57) then awarded Steeley and Redmerski state-level certificates of recognition and appreciation. The talent show raised $1,400 towards the newly established scholarship.

As the 2023-2024 school year begins, Stough is excited to continue the class’s legacy with the 50th anniversary students.

Where Everyone Belongs Implemented As Middle School Transition Program

With the upcoming changes in terms of school transitions, the Hempfield Area School District is implementing a middle school transition program titled, “Where Everybody Belongs,” also known as WEB. This is a research-based middle-school orientation and transition program that welcomes rising 6th and 7th grade students to make them feel more comfortable throughout their middle-school experience.

Built on the belief that students can help fellow students succeed, the program trains mentors from the rising 8th grade class to be WEB leaders. As positive role models for their peers, WEB leaders will guide 6th and 7th grade students through their transition to middle school to help them discover what it takes to be a successful middle school student.

Though the administration has been planning WEB since the spring, the year-long program truly begins this fall. Before the start of school, WEB leaders will be trained, and 7th and 8th graders will attend orientation and tours of their new buildings. Incoming 6th graders will attend school on August 24, the day before the start of school, for orientation and tours led by the WEB leaders and coordinators to give 6th graders an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the school and their schedules.

WEB components including social follow-ups, academic follow-ups and leader initiated contacts will continue throughout the whole school year. Academic follow-ups will focus on academic and character development in the classroom, while social follow-ups will connect students outside of the classroom at social events to increase student engagement and positive school climate. Throughout the year, student leaders will also connect with their assigned students on an individual basis.

The overall goals of WEB fall into three categories: safety, information and connection. The District hopes to reduce bullying, rumors, isolation and harassment while creating a process that supports student-to-student information sharing in a more involved environment.