One big thing that sets Communities apart from other programs is their Semester of Service. Juniors in Communities are given the opportunity to take the projects into their own hands and take the lead. Three of these projects have already wrapped up their final events. These projects being, Rooted in Reading, QPR with Community for Hope, and an Arbor Day Celebration in Akan Acres.
For their Rooted in Reading project, juniors Emmi Klatt and Emily Steiner partnered with Travis Derks, Parks Department Manager, to launch “Rooted in Reading,” a community engagement event designed to connect residents of all ages with nature. The program featured a reading of A Tree is Nice, a practical demonstration on tree planting and care, and various interactive activities, including crafts and sticker boards assisted by student volunteers and fellow Communities juniors Callie Rudoll, James Lofton, and Adilynn Schimdt. To encourage local reforestation, guests were invited to select and take home their own tree seedlings to plant in the community. By blending literacy with environmental stewardship, the project successfully created a fun, educational atmosphere that fostered both community connection and a greener future.
Rudoll explained, “It was a really great opportunity to connect with children, and to see the smiles on their faces. It really made my day!”
The next project event took place April 22nd. Students Sammie Leib, Paige Jarvey, Sonya Herman, and Tucker Moskal partnered with Sarah Dahnahy of Community For Hope to host a vital QPR Training session at the Hyde Family Community Center. The event, which drew 21 attendees—including parents, relatives, and local Kiwanians—focused on suicide awareness and the latest mental health statistics specific to Winnebago County.
“QPR training is prevention not intervention,” said Dahnahy, Executive Director of Community For Hope. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue, learning practical skills for supporting individuals in crisis, while also enjoying a community dinner featuring a discount from Zaroni’s. By fostering an environment of active participation and open conversation, the team successfully empowered local residents with the tools needed to navigate sensitive mental health situations.
The final event that has already taken place was organized by junior Austin Housworth. He hosted the 4th annual Arbor Day event at North’s Akan Acres to promote environmental education and the mental health benefits of green spaces. The ceremony featured a tree donation from Melissa Brey, technical guidance from Parks Manager Travis Derks, and a mayoral proclamation was even read by State Representative Lori Palmeri.
This ongoing commitment to conservation, supported by student volunteers like the Green Team, has earned Oshkosh North the prestigious Tree Campus USA award, making it one of only two schools in Wisconsin to hold the title.
Junior Emmi Klatt-Wehr, who attended the ceremony, said, “I think it is important to better our green space. It makes walking out there more enjoyable. I like seeing the different kinds of trees with the different colors.”
Stay tuned for the wrap up of the rest of the Junior Projects and for next month’s article.
