Two young girls, one idea

As the result of a “genius project” conducted by two young students attending the Apalachin Elementary School, soldiers that are serving overseas will have a little something more than Meal’s Ready to Eat, or MRE’s, in the coming months.

Lexi Gunther and Lana Corson, fourth grade students, were challenged recently by the STEM teacher at their elementary school to find a project that they are passionate about. They chose to collect food and items for four local soldiers that are currently deployed overseas.

The challenge was delivered as part of the “genius hour” administered by their teacher, Jen Gibson. According to Gibson, she conducts a genius hour every six days, which is based off of Google’s “20 percent time” philosophy. 

In 2004, Google encouraged their employees, in addition to their regular projects, to spend 20 percent of their time working on what they think will most benefit Google. The concept was that this would empower employees to become more creative.

For Gibson’s students, they are asked to create a project they are passionate about. Some examples of projects presented to Gibson by the students include a blogging project, hosting a basketball tournament, and other creative efforts.

For Gunther and Corson, their project selection of helping troops overseas has taken off and is getting more reception than they had anticipated.

Gibson and her husband, Brian, are members of the Elks Lodge in Vestal and had observed in a newsletter recently that members are collecting items to send to troops overseas. 

When Gunther and Corson learned of this need, they decided to take action.

The two researched the items that the troops needed, and were allowed to have, and then they made announcements and included a list of items that can be donated.

To add some flair to the collection, the two girls turned it into a contest, offering an ice cream party to the class that collects the most donations for their cause. So far, they noted, Mrs. Ripic’s second grade class is in the lead. The contest, they added, runs until June 19.

And the girls are also happy about their project selection. One of their classmates has a father who is serving in the military, so they understand how tough it can often be to be separated from a military family member.

“I think it’s tough, if they have family and they are away from them,” said Gunther of soldiers who are deployed.

Corson talked of the stress that soldiers endure during deployment, as well as the dangers. “It has to be scary for them [the troops],” said Corson.

As for the reception of their project, thus far the girls have exceeded their goal of 50 items collected, and had 183 items by last Tuesday. 

With a little over two weeks to go, it is safe to say that the project was a success!

With that, Gunther and Corson humbly stated, “We are in shock; we didn’t think people would bring this much in for our collection.” 

Gunther and Corson are also adding a personal touch to the project and have asked the librarian to help gather notes from the students to distribute with the care packages.

So far the girls have collected items ranging from cookies and granola bars, to flavored drinks.

The items, once fully collected, will be sent to the Elks Lodge in Vestal and then packaged and mailed to four local troops who are currently deployed overseas.