Winterville Honors Students Focus on Others, Collect Donations for Ronald McDonald House

What happens when the honors students at Winterville Charter Academy are challenged? They perform in a big way.

In early January Winterville Special Education teacher Neil Klinedinst pitched an idea of collecting 500 donated items for the local Ronald McDonald House. All 29 honor students from elementary and middle schools were excited to take part and ready for their tasks.

“The students were assigned various roles with their grade level advisor while I lead a group of four students in leadership and oversight positions,” Klinedinst said.

 Students filled roles in the following groups: Video promotions, In-house promotions, Community Outreach, Community Partner Services and Project Management. As members of their respective teams, students developed fliers, posters, drafted outreach letters and even made a video promoting the project which was scheduled to run for 18 days.

Donations came in slowly and there was concern the team wouldn’t meet their goal, but in the end, they collected 757 items.

“A goal of 500 seemed lofty at times, but we demonstrated perseverance and courage while focusing on others,” Klinedinst said. “I just love helping students learn the value of community service. Being the advisor for the Honor Societies is such a blessing because it places me in a position to be myself.”

 Students were able to tour the Ronald McDonald House after the drive to see where the donations would be used.

“This drive has taught each of us the value of compassion, perseverance, and courage,” he said. 

Klinedinst said Winterville’s National Elementary and Junior Honor Society staff advisors are invested in providing an opportunity for these scholars to explore their lives while using Moral Focus as their gear box. Winterville students are also excelling in the classroom, as they continue to outperform the local school district in all subjects.

Great work, Winterville honor students and advisors!