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Arlington High students showcase civic-capstone projects including community drives and energy savings
Summary
Arlington High School students presented 19 Seal of Civic Readiness capstone projects to the Arlington Central School District board, highlighting community partnerships, a book drive (>190 books to the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie), clothing and food drives, willow plantings for turtle habitat and a delamping program that removed 1,198 bulbs (presenters reported estimated annual savings of $4,625.93).
Doctor Salomini, representing Arlington High School, and teacher-adviser Miss Bellino presented student capstone projects to the Arlington Central School District Board, saying the work demonstrates “a community for all.” The students showcased 19 capstones that combined research, outreach and follow-through to address local needs.
The projects ranged from Dominic Allen’s book drive — which resulted in more than 190 books donated to the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie — to Cyrus Cowings’s clothing drive for students in emergency foster care, Yamile Gonzalez’s collection of roughly 45 bags of clothes for Duchess Outreach, and Nevaeh Pickett’s bingo night and resource distribution for residents at the Fountains of Millbrook senior community. Miss Bellino described the capstone as a requirement that asks students to research causes and effects, design and execute solutions, “take informed action,” and then reflect on outcomes.
Students in a climate and energy research class described environmentally focused capstones. Presenters Yash Bantu and Chelsea Lopez Moracho led a delamping program that removed 1,198 bulbs from school buildings; the presentation reported an estimated annual cost savings of $4,625.93 and an estimated carbon-savings figure reported during the presentation. Arunya Sahu and partners planted 200 willow stalks along wetlands behind the high school to support Blanding turtle habitat and to create a sustainable resource for future student projects.
Xavier Duranis, one of two students inducted as My Brother’s Keeper fellows, told the board: “I just wanna say thank you...for bringing the MBK initiative to the high school and letting it thrive.” Doctor Salomini framed the program as both academic and civic, saying it encourages “inclusion, relationship building, and readiness for high school life.”
Superintendent Smith and board members praised the students and noted the projects’ community partnerships, including Duchess Outreach, Hope on a Mission and local elementary schools. Several presenters said parts of their projects are set to expand to other district buildings.
The board received the presentation and thanked the students; no formal action was required. The district provided a pamphlet summarizing all capstones and indicated staff will follow up on efforts that expand across schools.
