The Panther Project

My name is Julia McCarthy, and I am from Wakefield, New Hampshire. I participated in the 2022 Friends Forever International (FFI) summer program. My community struggles specifically in the realm of education. We are a town of 5,000 people with a single school that covers grades PreK-8, with a population of 465 students. Over the past few years, Paul School has struggled significantly concerning keeping teachers. I attended Paul School for nine years, and my brother is currently an 8th-grade student there. Paul School has lost the entirety of the middle school teachers and administration and a significant number of elementary students in the three years since I graduated. Since then, teaching positions have been a revolving door for many classrooms, placing a lot of strain and pressure on the students. I love the community at Paul School, and I deeply care about the teachers and students within it. The Panther Project is designed to bring more resources to Paul School and improve students' educational and social experiences to make the most of their elementary and middle school years. I will present a plan to the school board and then collaborate with them and the teachers to create a program that most benefits the students. The project I will present includes ideas for providing physical resources such as school supplies, educating the community about learning disabilities, providing free tutoring and homework help, and providing immersive experiences for students to create strong social connections and a diverse education. The Panther Project will be an ongoing initiative that I hope to pass on to my brother or another Paul School Alumni after I graduate. As a final note, 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Paul School and the community; FFI only facilitates the funding process.