Jael, a Deering High School sophomore, served as a paid intern with the Maine League of Women Voters this year, thanks to a Painting for a Purpose grant that helped create MLW’s first ever Youth Council. On the job, she helped host a voter registration event at school and signed up more than 25 peers to vote in elections for the first time.

Twelve students at Lyman Moore collaborated to learn more about making their own food. They decided to enlist the help of a chef and learn how to make sambusa, ramen, pizza and ice cream. Meeting once a week, these students deveoped cooking techniques and compared their family cooking traditions….

Students at Deering High School created a vibrant student-run business called Rise and Shine Cafe. The project provided an opportunity for students with special needs to learn transferable work skills, as well as supply the school community with delicious coffee, tea and other snacks.

Hannah Caron, a Portland High School senior, organized a student artwork exhibit at the Portland Public Library’s Lewis Gallery showcasing and celebrating the city’s youth artwork. Hannah carried out this project as a continuation of the exhibition entitled “Art Class” that included work from all four of the Portland Public High Schools last year.

On a third-floor hallway at Deering High School a new mural contains a series of cartoon-like creatures with a big purple ram – the school’s mascot – in the middle. Tenth graders Phat and Issac created the art work they call the “Ramily Mural” with their Painting for a Purpose grant.

Last fall, Archer, a 10th grade student in Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS), led a day-long pumpkin carving workshop for culinary and commercial art students, giving tips on best practices for pumpkin art. The school displayed approximately 60 of these carved pumpkins in the PATHS lobby to the delight of visitors and the school community….

At Deering High School, upperclassman Henry finished a mural started during the beginning of the pandemic. The completed project showcases a white bird amidst a black floral backdrop, with the words “In memory of those we lost in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.”…

8th graders at King Middle School are setting out to "greenify" their school common spaces with beautiful plants. They are hoping that the plants will improve air quality, add beauty to the hallways, and teach peers the importance of caring for their school. * Project still in process * Updates to come!

A 6th grade student at King Middle School set out to share more about Ethiopian cuisine and the traditions of her mother’s home country with her school community.