Students in Rachel Rodgers art classes at Larkspur Middle and Holland Elementary schools are using their artistic talents to support children halfway around the globe.

After learning about the efforts of the non-profit organization called Little Dresses for Africa this summer, Rodgers began planning for a classroom lesson that would also teach her students about service to others.

“I love the feeling of helping someone in greater need than I, but, even more, I love teaching my students and challenging them to become involved in something much bigger than themselves. This project has turned into something so beneficial to students beyond my art room, and even beyond the orphanage, as many people have come together to help satisfy a need.”

The project? With their hand-painted dots, hearts, swirls, and flowers, students are transforming gently used white or off-white pillowcases into sundresses for girls in an orphanage in Djibouti. With assistance from Little Creek’s Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, the students’ dresses will be hand delivered to orphans overseas.

Rodgers is doing most of the sewing herself, but her students have a front row seat to the finishing touches, even modeling some of the finished products. A few classmates try on the dresses to see how they will fit their friends in Djibouti.

Beyond being a valuable art lesson for her students, Rodgers hopes that this project will positively influence how they give back in the future. “I hope my students will remember this assignment," she says, "and will step up to take leadership roles in future community service projects."

Photo (l to r): Deputies J. W. Gilbet, E. P. Gunderson, PAES Guidance Counselor Anne Johnson, Deputies N. Bishop and E. S. Gleason

Three Oaks Elementary student safety patrols Alyssa W., Corey C., J.D. B., Dylan M., Joe P., Lizzy L., Skyler P., Dillon S., Conor S., and Riley Y. help load donations for delivery to the Virginia Beach SPCA. The Safety Patrols have sponsored this pet-food drive for the past three years.

Photo: James H. and his mom work on a class assignment together.

Photo: Fifth graders Matthew C., Autumn L., Darius M., and Chloe B. show their creative designs.

After touring the Operation Smile international headquarters as a young Girl Scout, Jenna F., now a junior at Princess Anne High School, knew she wanted to be involved with what she calls “an extraordinary organization.” She started by creating an Operation Smile club at her high school, and, in November, Jenna traveled to Vietnam with Operation Smile doctors as a student volunteer.

“It was spectacular to see how doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals from all walks of life, and from all different parts of the world can come together for one cause and change a child's life so cohesively,” Jenna says.  

She plans to study medicine so the opportunity to observe four surgeries in which doctors repaired cleft lips and palates was an educational for Jenna. “The plastic surgeons and anesthesiologists explained every step of the surgery to me,” she says. “It was amazing to see the actual transformation of a patient. The doctors' surgery was truly artwork, and I knew right there in the operating room that this child would receive a whole new chance at life, at education, at society's entire view of them – all through such a simple surgery.”  

Jenna plans to make several presentations about her trip to her peers with the help of the school’s International Baccalaureate Program Coordinator Helen Cox. She also hopes to be able to share her experience with other VBCPS middle and elementary schools.

After decorating a display board with photos of their own military families, students in Dana White’s second-grade class at White Oaks Elementary School wished veterans a “Happy Veteran’s Day” in a video clip that White submitted to Good Morning America. The morning television show recently featured the video during its weekend segment titled “Your Three Words”. View White’s students and their three words in this video clip (note that GMA producers add music to viewer’s submissions when they are aired on national television).