Purple Spaghetti for One Step Up Students at Project HOPE

It Still Tastes Italian

During a Friday lunchtime meal of blue and purple spaghetti at Lincoln School in Lamar, Emily Neischburg of Healthy Places and LiveWell Prowers County, offered praise for the 25 to 30 young students who are involved in the local One Step Up program.  “Even during their spring and past summer break, whenever we had a gathering, these young students were always in attendance and committed to help improve their community,” she told the afternoon gathering.

Students and Adults Exchanged Ideas During Lunch

“They are on hand to take pictures for their photo-voice project and they’re volunteering to help serve meals, pick up trash and offer suggestions on such events as the construction and planning for the KaBoom park on Lamar’s north side,” she said, addressing the students and Project HOPE staff and volunteers as well as the eight adults who were invited to take part in the One Step Up session later that day.  Each of the adults, some from the Lamar City Council and others from different civic organizations, offered comments on how the program was working and what they hope to see accomplished in the future.

The Mayor and His Crew

Lamar Mayor, Roger Stagner, told the gathering the students at his table showed a high level of excitement about the opportunity to help improve their community, “I’ve served on the city council in one way or another for about 14 to 16 years now and this is a great chance to see what our younger residents want to do to improve their town.”    Rick Akers, Lamar Parks and Recreation Director, who has been working with Project HOPE and other students at various levels through the city added, “It’s been rewarding working with this kids, especially with their ideas and energy and I’m looking forward to help make some of your dreams become a reality.”

Sandra, Mia and Destiny

Following the meal, students and adults broke into three groups in separate classrooms where the students outlined some of their plans and received feedback from the adults.

Destiny, Mia and Sandra met with Mayor Stagner and outlined some of their plans to help make Lamar more attractive and colorful in the downtown area.  “We also want to be able to inspire others to work with us,” said each of the three young students.  They suggested more colorful flower planters throughout the city as well as permission to paint more murals depicting opportunities for outdoor events for kids in Lamar.  There were other similar suggestions including small doggy stations around the parks that dispensed plastic bags for a quick pick-up and a cleaner walking area.

The other adults who attended the sessions were:  Ann Marie Crampton, Gerry Jenkins, Danny Tinnes, Trevor LaCost, Courtney Neuhold and Doug Harbour.

By Russ Baldwin