Unique service opportunity for grade 8 students

Published in the February 15, 2018 edition

By JILLIAN STRING

NORTH READING —Tyler Craig, an eighth-grade student at North Reading Middle School, represented the town at the annual Launch Day for Project 351 on January 28.

Founded in 2011 by then Governor Deval Patrick, Project 351 unites eighth-grade students from each of the 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth, seeking to develop a rising generation of “community-first” leaders.

TYLER CRAIG
(Jillian String Photo)

Launch Day, convened by Governor Charlie Baker and presented by John Hancock, served to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

According to Craig, local ambassadors boarded a bus at the Woburn Mall, and traveled to the John F. Kennedy Library. After a tour of the library, students gathered in groups of 10-15 to meet with their alumni leader and discuss ways of developing leadership and service opportunities within each of their communities.

Ambassadors were encouraged to create a service project this spring that will benefit Cradles to Crayons, a Boston-based nonprofit that combats childhood poverty by providing children from birth to age 12 with essential items needed at home, at school and at play.

“I’m thinking of organizing a food or clothing drive,” Craig said. He noted that he is still in the planning phase of the project, and has regular communication with Project 351 leaders. Craig also had the opportunity to meet with North Reading’s 2017 Ambassador, Julia Thorstad.

Launch Day activities continued at the Martin Luther King Jr. K-8 School in Boston, where ambassadors assisted in painting a mural and helped move books into classrooms.

Student ambassadors to Project 351 must exhibit the exemplary ethic of service and embody the values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. At NRMS, each grade 8 team nominated a student whom they felt exemplified these criteria. The staff then voted to name Craig as the 2018 ambassador.

According to NRMS principal Catherine O’Connell, the school community is excited to provide Craig with this opportunity and looks forward to assisting him with his service endeavors.

Craig, a polite and engaging student, stated that he is enjoying all of his classes this year. He loves playing baseball and basketball, and delights in fostering relationships among peers. He is excited to be participating in Project 351, and will be looking to continue the project’s mission of community service in the future. He is the son of Lisa and Richard Craig of Central Street.