While Ohio State Testing is often associated with assessments and academics, a group of North Royalton Middle School seventh graders used the week as an opportunity to make a positive impact on their school and community.
During the testing week, Team EARTH teachers Jill Evangelista and Chris Benze challenged students in their social studies and science FLEX classes to participate in meaningful service projects. Students were surveyed about causes and projects that interested them, then grouped according to their passions and ideas.
The projects focused on five areas: painting and beautifying school trash cans, collecting donations for an animal shelter, classroom clean-up efforts, weeding and maintaining areas around the school grounds, and creating a Positive Post-It Bulletin Board where students shared encouraging messages that others could take and pass along.
One group focused on supporting a local animal shelter. Students organized a donation drive and promoted the effort across all three seventh-grade teams: ICE, FIRE, and EARTH. The project was especially meaningful to seventh grader Veronika Kozachuk, whose love for animals inspired her to take the initiative beyond the school walls by collecting donations from friends and neighbors.
Thanks to the students' efforts, the donation drive raised $84.50 and collected two boxes of supplies, including pet food, litter, Post-it notes, and other needed items. The donations were presented to the Parma Animal Shelter, which provided the students with a certificate of appreciation for their generosity.
Students participating in the animal shelter project included Daniel Shtokalo, Evan Kish, Brianna Geschke, Veronika Kozachuk, Kori Maxwell, Lyda Hopper, Ihor Mohylski, Gianna Bordon, and Addison Sucharzewski.
Another student-led project brought color and creativity to the school as students Sophia Presser, Maria Ghaly, and Milana Gogol transformed trash cans with fresh paint and artistic designs, helping brighten common areas throughout the building.
“These projects gave students an opportunity to take ownership of improving their school and helping others,” said Evangelista. “It was rewarding to see them identify needs, work together, and make a difference in ways that were meaningful to them.”
The service projects highlighted the positive character, leadership, and community spirit that North Royalton Middle School students demonstrate every day. Whether beautifying the campus, caring for animals, or spreading kindness through encouraging messages, students showed that even small acts of service can have a lasting impact.
