Reagan High School Senior Jackson Gaydica made a big difference in his community this summer when he organized a service project that collected over $3,100 worth of school supplies for Mineral Springs Elementary School.
The project was connected to the North Carolina Governor’s Page Program, which allows 20 high school students from across the state each summer to work alongside the governor’s office and gain hands-on experience in the operations of state government. Pages tour state landmarks, speak with elected officials, and even get to make their voices heard through policy proposals during the week-long program. These activities are meant to foster greater understanding of history, civics, public service, and professionalism in students who are preparing to leave school and become fixtures in their wider communities, and one of the most important facets of that development comes through the development of a service project.
“The purpose of the project is to engage youth in service and demonstrate the direct effects it can have on North Carolina communities,” reads the governor’s webpage on the program.
With the beginning of the school year fast approaching when Gaydica was designing his service project, his mind turned to Mary Ann Redding, a kindergarten teacher at Mineral Springs Elementary and a close friend of his family. He remembered Redding frequently speaking fondly of the great students at her school and lamenting that there weren’t always adequate supplies available to do everything they wanted to do in class. He decided that making school better for elementary schoolers in need was as worthy of a cause as any, and his school supply drive began.
“I love thinking about how on the first day, when those kids walk into the class, their faces are going to light up at the sight of the new stuff they got,” Gaydica said. “They don’t have to worry about if they have a missing notebook or a missing set of pencils. They’re going to have everything they need.”
Gaydica set up an Amazon wish list focused on general school supplies, art supplies, physical education equipment, and headphones for devices, then started reaching out to friends, family, and community members to let them know they had an opportunity to help. The campaign only lasted two weeks, but the community’s willingness to lend a hand for Mineral Sprins Elementary showed through in a big way. On the Friday before the beginning of school, Gaydica personally delivered a treasure trove of school supplies that surpassed everyone’s expectations.
“Initially, Jackson had a goal to solicit $1,000 worth of supplies, including 50 headphone sets,” said Michelle Gaydica, Jackson’s mother. “In total, he collected 250 new headphone sets and the total amount raised was $3,100 in supplies for MSES.”
The staff at Mineral Springs Elementary were thrilled to see such an outpouring of support. Not only will these supplies make a critical difference in the options teachers have for classroom activities this year, but it’s also inspiring to know that a Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools student led the charge. Mineral Springs Elementary Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator Lucy Gordon felt that Gaydica’s efforts were a glowing representation of the district's values.
“Jackson’s commitment to serving his community is truly commendable,” Gordon said. “I believe this story exemplifies the spirit of service and community that we strive to foster within our district.”
Gaydica aspires to a career in public service after he graduates. Working alongside Governor Roy Cooper taught him a lot about the intricacies of getting work done in a complex government system. He says his top priority is to make his community a better place to live through public service, and he’s glad that this project gave him a place to start.
“Community comes first, in my opinion, and this project embodies that,” Gaydica said. “That’s what I really take away from this, knowing that the community got better because of the project.”