At Harrison Schools, we believe that education is most powerful when it extends beyond the four walls of a classroom. When local experts and community leaders invest their time in our students, a class assignment can quickly transform into a real-world initiative with a lasting impact.
For the past five years, a unique partnership has been flourishing within our Middle School ELA department. By serving on student project panels, local mentors have helped launch everything from water conservation efforts to the nationally recognized Homegrown Stories program.
Today, we are proud to share a message of gratitude from teacher and project sponsor Stephanie Benton. She highlights the incredible community members who have stepped up to help our students turn their ideas into action.
Rooted in Community, Growing Student Leaders
By Stephanie Benton
It’s hard to put into words just how much our community means to my students.
Over the past five years in my ELA classes, more than 40 community members have stepped into my classroom to serve on student agriculture project panels. Each year, these individuals take time out of their busy lives to listen, encourage, and pour into my students in the most meaningful ways.
This year, I am especially grateful for:
Nick Simon, Twana Troutt, Susan Gilley, Debbie Wilson, Chris Wade, Trent Brewer, Amber Likes, Stephanie Mallett, Jessica Reese, Amanda Woodworth, Karlea Newberry, Chris Adams, Nita Cooper, Alex Hale, Pamela Kindall, Brandy Mincer, Josh Bright, and Ryan Caughron.
During these panels, my students aren’t just presenting projects—they are sharing ideas that have the potential to truly improve our community. My panelists ask thoughtful questions, give honest feedback, and offer real-world insight that challenges students to think bigger and go further.
One of my panelists shared, “I enjoy serving on the panel every single year. The projects just keep getting better and better. It is amazing to see young students leading projects that improve our community.” That statement perfectly captures what makes this experience so powerful.
Because of this support, these projects don’t stop when the class ends. Over the years, student ideas have led to meaningful changes in our community, including the installation of two rain barrels at the Harrison FFA greenhouse to promote water conservation, student-led healthy cooking classes, and the creation of gardening kits to support hands-on learning at home.
Building on that foundation, last year two students’ idea grew into Homegrown Stories, which is now being presented at the National Ag in the Classroom Conference. And the impact is still growing. Several new projects are already in the works, including an Agriculture Day where students will spend time exploring the importance of agriculture, the launch of a Nature Club, and the creation of a community cookbook—just to name a few.
To every panelist—past and present—thank you. Whether this was your first time or your fifth year, you are helping shape confident leaders, creative thinkers, and students who truly believe they can make a difference.
I am beyond grateful for each of you and the role you play in bringing these projects to life.
This is what happens when students are given the opportunity to lead and a community stands behind them—their ideas turn into action, and that action turns into real change.