At Sizer School, education isn't just about the tests and quizzes, it's about engagement, experience, curiosity and giving back.

On Monday, March 16, Sizer School 10th grade students Scarlett Brooks, Caroline Rathier, Lorelei Charles and Rocco Perez visited Project Bread in Boston to present their idea for fighting hunger, "Project Sprout".

In a board room filled with Project Bread leaders, Rocco Perez and his group asked the question, "If we have the resources to solve hunger, then why isn't hunger solved?"

These students, from Fitchburg and Clinton, created a proposal for a grassroots organization to coincide with a bill aimed at subsidizing the growth of fruits and vegetables in a way that would make nutritious foods more accessible at lower cost to consumers. It would also require restaurants and grocery stores to donate surplus edible food rather than discard it.

"I've always been interested in this topic. I've always found it important and I've always wanted to find ways to help people and this project gave me the perfect opportunity to do that because I really didn't know how to before," said Rathier.

"I have friends who are hungry and they ask me for food and I help get meals for them because I grew up with a lot of food--coming home to a meal every day--so seeing people hungry makes me glad I can help. I want to change the world and feed people who are hungry," said Perez.

"I'm very interested in environmental sustainability. I want to become a Zoologist when I'm older and open my own nonprofit based on helping endangered animals and protecting the environment," said Charles.

"I am really passionate about this because I want to make sure everyone can afford fruits and vegetables, not just the empty carbs and all that stuff," said Brooks, sharing her own family's experiences with food insecurity.

Their presentation included data points, action steps and asked Project Bread representatives themselves why they are passionate about ending hunger. At the end, students handed out business cards with their Project Proposal attached via QR code.

"Sizer School is built on a foundation of project-based learning, hands-on lessons and teaching students how to think deeper, care about themselves and others and act creatively and responsibly in this world," said Lindsay Alweiss Director of Community Development, Communications and Recruitment.

"This partnership with Project Bread is a prime example of this. These students used historical context from their history classes and applied critical thinking and problem solving skills to imagine a solution to a modern day problem."

Alweiss is also the Advisor for Sizer School's Student Ambassador Program. A leadership group dedicated to event planning, community building and social change. All four students who presented Monday are active members of the Student Ambassadors and plan to start their program at Sizer as soon as next year.

"They have already talked to me about connecting with some of our local nonprofits to help them build and maintain raised bed gardens at the school," said Alweiss.

"This entire experience was eye-opening and it felt amazing to be able to share our ideas with people who cared about our ideas as much as we do," said Rathier after their presentation. "I'm excited to be able to actually move forward with making a difference and helping people."

This project is part of the 10th grade History unit on the Great Depression with History Teacher Ken LaCoille.

"I enjoyed seeing our students bring their ideas to life by sharing their vision for a youth movement to end hunger and increase sustainable food systems with Project Bread," said LaCoille. "The staff there had great questions, their feedback was vital, and their networking with our 10th graders will help make Project Sprout a reality."

Brooks is also looking forward to the possibilities.

"I'm really thankful that me and my group were able to bring this idea to Project Bread. I think that the research and the entire process really gave us all a better understanding of hunger and food insecurity across America," said Brooks. "Food insecurity is something we are all very passionate about and meeting the people at Project Bread opened up new opportunities for us and 'Project Sprout'."

"This experience showed what young people are capable of when given the opportunity," said Peter Newman, Sizer School's Portfolio Coordinator. Newman helped the students perfect their presentation for Project Bread. "I am proud of how our students prepared, supported each other, and shared their ideas and vision with confidence."

Discover how project-based learning inspires and engages authentic, meaningful learning for all students. Dig deeper. Apply now to join us in 2026-2027. Visit www.sizerschool.org for more information.