Hempfield Project 18 civics class honored by local, state government for 50th anniversary

Students and leadership with Hempfield Area School District’s hands-on civics class, Project 18, were honored with proclamations from state and local government officials at a school board meeting this month.

The elective class is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It was originally spearheaded by the state after 18-year-olds were given the right to vote. Hempfield’s iteration of the class is the only one that remains after half a century. Through the course, students volunteer in, get involved with and learn about local and state politics.

The school board read proclamations honoring the program from Hempfield Area’s school board and township supervisors.

Proclamations from the state General Assembly also were received from Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward and state Rep. Eric Nelson, both R-Hempfield.

Related:

• Hempfield approaches 50-year anniversary of civics education class

• Firsthand experience takes the boredom out of Western Pa. civics classes

Teacher Ken Stough highlighted the work ethic of the 89 students who are participating in Project 18 this year. For the 2024-25 school year, the program will be growing—120 students already are signed up.

“They represent, I think, a lot of what’s best about Hempfield,” Stough said. “We’ve got star athletes, we have academic all-stars, but they’re all collectively civic all-stars who know their community, understand local and state government and give back to their community.

“For you all to recognize that sends the right message, that we value as Hempfield Area those contributions to the community.”

Moving forward, Stough hopes to expand Project 18. At the meeting, he brought up ideas for a quiz team league that could introduce Project 18’s civics curriculum to other schools in the county, and suggested a program where Project 18 high schoolers could share what they’re learning with students in lower grades.

Project 18 student President Nick Miller thanked Stough for all his work and the school board members for supporting the program.

“It does scare me a little bit to know that we’re the only school left that has this program, but I know we’re going to keep this program, and I hope that 50 years from now I’m able to read the news and hear that Project 18 is still doing great things,” Miller said.

Board members lauded the program’s impact. Several of them noted that during visits in which school board candidates spoke to the Project 18 class, a program mainstay, the students asked well-considered and thought-provoking questions.

“Having three children who went through the program, I can personally speak to how admirable it is,” said board member Mike Alfery. “I personally watched incredible growth of all my kids when they went through it.”

“Coming and meeting with all of you was the best part of campaigning,” said board member Tracy Miller.

“It was very interesting for me, because there was a lot of talk that we don’t get to hear from students, and it actually helped me to think more like a student rather than an adult. I take that with me going forward.”

Board Vice President Scott Learn described the experience of working with Project 18 volunteers on his campaign as humbling.

He supports the idea of sharing the program with other schools.

“I think Project 18 is amazing,” he said. “We could really spread our wings and help this, if everybody takes a step and tries to get it to these other districts, we could have a lot better neighborhood and place to live in.”