Oprah’s Angel Network

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Club students and the educator team are joined by school principal Mr. Hollinhead (center).

Photo courtesy of Lockhart Middle School

The 28 students in grades 6–8 who make up the O Ambassadors Club at Lockhart Middle School in Orlando, Florida are learning about Latin America this year, and the issues the people in that region face. But it’s not just club members who are learning. In some very creative ways, the O Ambassadors at Lockhart Middle School are passing on their knowledge to the other 1,200 students at the school.

One of the first things the club did was record promotional videos for their fellow classmates. Reciting facts and statistics, the club used the videos as a way to teach other students about poverty conditions in Latin America. The club also raffled off gift baskets filled with merchandise donated by local businesses. Students who donated one dollar got their name put in a raffle drawing for the baskets, and students who donated two dollars also got one of a series of special “Stomp Out Poverty” buttons. The buttons—designed by the Lockhart O Ambassadors Club—featured all different types of shoes, from combat boots to Dorothy’s ruby slippers. The buttons created quite a buzz at the school, with some students trying to collect all of the designs.

When the club started learning about the health issues that impact Latin America, they shot another promotional video, and launched their “Band Together for Better Health” fundraising campaign, selling trendy rubber wristbands to students and teachers.

Photo courtesy of Lockhart Middle School

Photo courtesy of Lockhart Middle School

Raffling off gift baskets of donated items was one of the club's first fundraising activities.

Just a few of the buttons designed by this creative club.

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Beyond Their Walls

Karen Herrington-Streeter, an educator at Lockhart Middle School, says that one of most exciting things about the program is that it makes students want to be a part of something “beyond their walls.” Ms. Herrington-Streeter leads the club at the school along with fellow educators Ms. Chasnov, Ms. Bashinski, Mr. Washington and Assistant Principal Ms. Floyd. Through the club, the students are learning about the problems of other young people in the world—and are also learning that it doesn’t take a lot to make a difference in someone else’s life, as Ms. Herrington-Streeter often says.

While the students were studying poverty, one fact they learned was that almost half of the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day—and one Saturday last fall, each student in the Lockhart Club decided to do just that. Certainly a challenge, the students were able to experience what life is like for so many in other parts of the world.

Another way the Lockhart O Ambassadors are living beyond their walls is by volunteering. Recently, club members volunteered their time sorting and preparing supplies at a Gift for Teaching, an Orlando-based non-profit organization that gives free classroom supplies to teachers—and CFE Federal Credit Union sponsored each hour of the students’ volunteer work. In March, the credit union presented the Lockhart O Ambassadors with a check for $500, which the club was able to contribute toward their fundraising goal.

One of most exciting things about the program is that it makes students want to be a part of something “beyond their walls.” —Karen Herrington-Streeter, educator