Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

While cleaning out school lockers last year, I saw a great amount of school supplies being thrown out; new notebooks, folders and binders filled countless garbage cans. I realized these school supplies could be (re)used by students who need them. I felt inspired start a project to encourage students to donate their school supplies to a local organization instead of throwing them away. With my project, "Clean Out for Kids", supplies were kept out of the land-fill, and families were helped during the recession. I put posters and boxes in the locker room at my school, Battle Ground Academy, encouraging students to donate their new or gently used school supplies. I also helped the custodial staff clean out the lockers at the end of the year and boxed the re-usable school supplies at my school. I asked contacts at my former school, Poplar Grove Middle School, to encourage students to participate in the â€œClean Out for Kidsâ€ project. Once the supplies were sorted, cleaned and counted, over eighteen boxes were donated to Franklin's Boys and Girls Club. With many families being hit hard with the recession, the "Clean Out for Kids" project helped supply students with the school supplies they need to be successful in school. My project benefited the students in my community who might not be able to afford all of their needed school supplies as well as promoted conservation. The project raised awareness about the waste accumulated in our schools, and how supplies can be reused to benefit the environment and other students. Through this project I earned my Girl Scout Gold Award, which I consider one of my greatest accomplishments. I also learned a lot about myself and my leadership skills during the course of my project. I realized that when I find a cause I am passionate about, it becomes my main focus. I concentrated on making my dreams a reality and helping those who are less fortunate than I am. I also realized I can truly make a difference by combining my passion for helping others and the environment to create an organization that would benefit both. I also learned that my energy and desire to organize a successful project penetrated through others who helped support the project. For the past two years, â€œClean Out For Kidsâ€ has successfully donated over twenty-three boxes of school supplies to underprivileged children in Williamson County, and I plan on continuing the project for many years to come.