During the Rockcastle County Special School Board Meeting on November 12, 2024, students from the fifth-grade student council presented a heartfelt initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity in their community. The students highlighted a food box located behind their school, which was established by a local Catholic church to support families in need.

Addie Brett, a member of the student council, explained that the food box often goes empty, prompting their school to adopt it as part of their community service efforts. Each week, a different homeroom takes responsibility for the box, ensuring that it is filled daily with food and hygiene items. This initiative not only provides essential supplies to those in need but also fosters a sense of responsibility and teamwork among students.

Additionally, the meeting featured discussions about the UNITE Club, which promotes healthy lifestyles and drug-free choices among students. The club engages students in team-building activities and encourages them to connect with peers and adults to foster positive behaviors. The acronym UNITE stands for understanding the forces that shape attitudes about drugs, never experiencing drugs, providing alternatives to drug use, teaching the value of staying drug-free, and encouraging peer mentoring.

The involvement of students in these initiatives underscores the importance of community engagement and the role of schools in addressing local challenges. The board's support for these programs reflects a commitment to fostering a healthy and supportive environment for all students in Rockcastle County.