Community Foundation for Livingston’s Imagine Boldly competition is asking Livingston County 11th and 12th graders to think of a way to improve their community; this can be resolving a current issue or simply finding an area of improvement. The winning idea will receive up to $10,000 from the Foundation to implement the plan.
Imagine Boldly is an effort to involve teens in improving their community. To demonstrate their commitment to this idea, Community Foundation of Livingston County, engaged seniors from Pinckney Community School’s New Tech High to organize and manage the entire event.
New Tech seniors, Sarah Dorosh, Michael Griffin, Katie Kramer, Brandon Loy, and Casey Orr, were part of an initial feedback panel to support the Community Foundation’s early ideation around the project and were later given a budget of $2500 to design, market, and host the competition.
In addition to helping fellow students make a difference, the team has been able to turn this project into an internship, which is a graduation requirement of New Tech High, a small learning community within PCHS that engages and empowers students through tech-rich project-based learning (PBL), prioritizing college, career, and civic life readiness.
New Tech Senior, Casey Orr, believes New Tech has given her both leadership and life skills. “New Tech has given me many opportunities, such as helping out with this project, leading large group meetings, and even going to Europe this past summer on a school trip! Through this program, I have learned how to be a better leader and how to work well in groups. New Tech has given me many skills that I will use throughout my life.”
Students who participate in the Imagine Boldly competition will benefit from the same type of skills by engaging in project-based learning and civic involvement. Livingston County 11th and 12th graders interested in improving their communities can download the application and learn more at imagineboldlylivingston.com.
After completing an application, the Community Foundation of Livingston County will select several projects to go on to a Finalist Competition in the spring. The winning plan will be put into effect by the Community Foundation using the up to $10,000 award.
The Community Foundation of Livingston was an initial sponsor of Pinckney’s New Tech High through a 50K grant which covered some of the front-end cost of joining the national New Tech Network. “Working with the same foundation that allowed Pinckney NTH to come to life has been so much fun,” says Michael Griffin, NTH Senior. “We here at Pinckney NTH know what a grant can do and can’t wait to see how this project is going to help our community."
The Community Foundation for Livingston County has awarded nearly $815,000 through more than 150 grants to support and improve the public welI-being and quality of life in the areas of neighborhood and regional economic development, human services, the arts, civic affairs, education, health, and the environment in Livingston County. Since its inception, the foundation has established 18 funds to recognize individuals and businesses in Livingston County, growing the foundation's endowment and related funds to nearly $1 million.
For additional information, please contact Julia McBride at (810) 225-5516.