On April 23rd, five dedicated fifth-grade students from South Christian Elementary—Jayvis Hall, Ace Holland, Maddox Pepper, Manning Pepper, and Reed Ebbinger—proudly represented their school at the 2025 Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) State Championship held at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Competing against over 2,000 schools statewide, their project, titled “A Spark of Hope,” stood out for its community impact and innovative use of technology.
STLP, established by the Kentucky Department of Education, empowers students through project-based learning, encouraging them to develop technology-driven solutions to real-world problems. (stlp.education.ky.gov)
The team’s journey began in November with a school-wide food drive, collecting $1,500 worth of non-perishable items and assembling Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. In February, they expanded their efforts by partnering with local businesses to gather essential hygiene products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and deodorant.
Embracing technology, the students utilized Google Spreadsheets to meticulously track daily donations from each class. They further engaged their peers by distributing a Google survey to gather feedback on the food drive, fostering a sense of community involvement.
At the championship, the team set up their presentation at Table 42, showcasing their project through a well-organized display and a confident oral presentation. Their hard work paid off when, after a suspenseful wait, Table 42 was announced as advancing to Level 3. The project was honored as the best group presentation for Level 2, earning them a trophy to bring back to South Christian Elementary.
Their achievement was further recognized with a feature on Kentucky Educational Television (KET), highlighting their commitment to service and technological innovation.
The success of “A Spark of Hope” exemplifies the core values of STLP—leveraging technology to make meaningful contributions to the community. These young students have not only demonstrated leadership and creativity but have also set a commendable example for their peers across the state.
This impactful journey would not have been possible without the support and guidance of STLP club sponsors Chantelle Core and Tammy Wilson, who played a key role in mentoring and encouraging the students throughout their project.
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