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Buff projects go beyond the classroom
Published 12/8/2007 in News : Education By Emily Behlmann
Buff projects go beyond the classroom
By EMILY BEHLMANN
ebehlmann@gctelegram.com
In seventh grade, Erin Ross knew sexual harassment was wrong and that she wanted to do something about it.
She had experienced problems herself and had witnessed others suffering. Ross said she decided right then that she would mount a sexual harassment and rape awareness campaign for her Buff Project, a graduation requirement at Garden City High School.
Ross was one of about 200 GCHS seniors to present a project to school and community judges Friday. The research paper, project, portfolio and presentation is 'a culmination of the skills (students) have learned through their educational careers,' Superintendent Rick Atha said.
They receive help from a community mentor and one of 11 Buff Project teachers, plus coordinator Karan Long, as they progress. Some use the project as an opportunity to explore a career interest, while others, like Erin Ross, work on community service.
Ross said she discovered that rapes and harassment are underreported, and victims don't always seek help from places like Garden City's Family Crisis Center, where the GCHS senior volunteered.
She said she thinks there are adequate services in Garden City, 'but not everyone uses them. That's what I wanted to do was promote awareness.'
She and Lt. Josh Biera of the Kansas Highway Patrol gave a presentation to a seventh-grade class at Kenneth Henderson Middle School.
Not everyone had as easy a time as Long did in choosing a Buff Project. Jennifer Hornbeck said it took some time to pick a topic, but when she started researching the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, it wasn't a difficult decision.
Hornbeck went through the background check and interviews required to become a big sister, and made a commitment of at least one year to her little sister, Vanessa.
'All the information I learned while researching actually became my personal experience,' Hornbeck said.
She said she feels like a positive influence on Vanessa, but the child also has taught her lessons, like that she doesn't have to take life seriously all the time.
Alison Adams also pointed out lessons learned from her Buff Project. She conducted a donation drive, and collected 96 baby care items, for ABC Pregnancy Care Center, a nonprofit organization dealing with the prevention, intervention and restoration of crisis or unintended pregnancies.
According to ABC, Finney County used to occupy the No. 1 spot for teen pregnancies per 1,000 capita in the state, but it's dropped to about No. 7.
'I didn't realize how big a problem we're facing,' Adams said.
Adams volunteered with ABC and said she plans to continue now that her Buff Project is complete.
Buff Projects gave some other students guidance on future activities, as well. Abby Bradstreet said she used the opportunity to try out a career interest— wedding planning— and that the experience made her want to pursue a job as an event planner.
Bradstreet planned details from the table decorations to bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts for an imaginary wedding. She restricted herself to a $10,000 budget and came in more than $1,000 less than the limit.
'I learned that a wedding planner has to be on top of everything,' she said.
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