The High School
Passion Project
Playbook
Build Real Things. Help Real People. Stand Out. ✨
TODAY
DO IT
IDEAS
You don't have to wait for graduation to change the world 🌍
"To every student who has a big idea but doesn't know where to start — this book is the starting line."
And to my own younger self, who needed someone to say: your ideas are already enough.
Hey — I'm genuinely glad you picked this up.
Here's the thing about me: I am obsessed with projects. Not school projects. Not assignments with deadlines and rubrics. Real projects — the kind where you identify a problem, build a solution, fail a little, adjust, and end up with something that actually matters to the world.
I kept coming up with ideas faster than I could execute them. A community app to connect seniors with local volunteers. A student-run magazine covering issues the mainstream media ignores. A sustainability audit that gets schools to actually change their practices. A mental wellness guide built by and for teens.
I realized I would never have time to do all of them myself. So instead of letting those ideas disappear, I decided to give them away.
This book is every idea I ever had, handed to you — complete with step-by-step instructions, timelines, templates, scripts, and everything else I wish I'd had when I was starting out.
Let's build something together 🛠️
— Soleil Franceschi
📍 By Passion
Jump straight to what you love — tech, arts, service, media!
⏱️ By Time
Every project has a time rating. Busy? Pick 1–3 month projects.
💸 By Budget
Many projects cost $0–$50. Money is NOT the barrier!
What every project contains ↓
Snapshot, big idea, who it helps, time + cost estimate
Step-by-step instructions, timelines, team roles, materials
Marketing plans, scripts, email templates, social media examples
Budget breakdown, fundraising ideas, grant leads, sponsor scripts
Impact tracking, portfolio tips, documentation guide
Scaling ideas, reflection questions, continuation strategies
Here's what school doesn't tell you: the most valuable thing on any college application, scholarship form, or job résumé is not your GPA. It's evidence that you looked at a problem and decided to do something about it.
Difficulty Guide 📊
| Level | What It Means | Time | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Beginner | Low coordination, mostly solo | 2–6 weeks | $0–$50 |
| ⭐⭐ Intermediate | Some outreach, small team | 1–3 months | $25–$200 |
| ⭐⭐⭐ Advanced | Multi-phase, real budget | 3–6 months | $100–$500 |
| ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Expert | Complex logistics, fundraising | 6–12 months | $300–$2,000+ |
Why Projects Matter More Than You Think
Most of what you do in high school is designed to prepare you for something else. Projects are different. Projects are the thing itself.
When you launch a community app, you're not preparing to become a tech founder — you're already being one. When you run a student magazine, you're not preparing to become a journalist — you're already doing journalism.
🎓 College Admissions
Admissions officers consistently report that students with self-initiated projects demonstrate initiative, follow-through, and genuine passion — things grades alone can't show.
🏆 Scholarships
Most major scholarships explicitly ask for evidence of community impact or leadership. A documented project with measurable outcomes beats any title or award.
💼 Career Readiness
Employers increasingly value demonstrated skills over credentials. A portfolio of completed projects signals you can DO things — not just study them.
🌱 Personal Growth
The ability to identify problems, build solutions, lead teams, and persist through failure is the most durable skill set any person can have.
How to Choose the Right Project
The best project for you lives at the intersection of three things:
- List 3 problems in your school or neighborhood that genuinely bother you.
- List 3 things you do for fun that involve creating, helping, or building.
- List 2 people you admire — what do they do that you wish existed at your school?
- Look at your answers. Circle anything that appears more than once.
- The overlapping themes? That's where your best project lives. 🎯
Time Management for Project Builders ⏰
If you're in AP classes, varsity sports, or have significant family responsibilities, start with a 1–2 hour/week project. A completed small project beats an abandoned big one every single time.
| Weekly Hours | Monthly Progress | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 hrs | Planning, research, small tasks | Solo, low-intensity projects |
| 3–5 hrs | Active building and outreach | Most intermediate projects |
| 6–10 hrs | Major milestones each month | Advanced, team-based projects |
| 10+ hrs | Enterprise-level execution | Expert projects, founders |
The Sunday Reset (15 min every week) 🔄
Review last week
What did you complete? What didn't happen? No judgment — just honest accounting.
Set your top 3 this week
ONLY three things. Not fifteen. The three tasks that, if done, move the project forward.
Block the time
Put the project time into your calendar. Treat it like a class you can't skip.
Building Your Team 👥
"Hey [Name], I'm building [description] and I need someone who's good at [their skill]. It's [X hours/week]. Want to grab coffee?"
Finding Mentors 🤝
- Teachers with relevant expertise
- LinkedIn local professionals
- Local business owners
- Community event speakers
- Family network connections
Funding Your Project 💰
- Crowdfunding (GoFundMe)
- Local business sponsorships
- School club budgets
- Youth grants (DoSomething.org, Ashoka)
- Fundraiser events
Track numbers, collect quotes and testimonials, take photos at every event, keep a weekly log, and capture the before/after. This is what turns your experience into evidence for scholarships and college apps.
IMPACT
Organize your community to donate and distribute essential goods — food, hygiene products, clothing, school supplies — to neighbors experiencing hardship. Unlike traditional charity, mutual aid is community-led: neighbors helping neighbors.
Millions of households experience food insecurity, yet most communities have surplus. You are the bridge between what exists and what's needed.
Skills you'll build:
💡 Materials Needed
Collection boxes (free!), flyers ($5), plastic bags ($10–$20), Google Form (free), Instagram page (free), partner location (free)
Step-by-Step 📋
Identify Your Focus
Decide what you'll collect: food, clothing, school supplies, hygiene products. Focused drives collect MORE. Ask your school counselor what's most needed right now.
Secure a Partner Location
Contact your school, a local church, library, or community center. Ask for permission to place collection boxes and use their space for distribution day.
Build Your Team
Recruit 3–8 people. Assign roles: Logistics Lead, Outreach Lead, Distribution Lead, and Data Tracker.
Set Up Drop-Off Points
Place labeled boxes at 3–5 locations. School lobby, local business, library. Make a sign for each box.
Launch Your Campaign
Post on Instagram, Facebook, NextDoor. Send flyers home. The more specific your posts ("We need 50 cans of soup by Friday!"), the more people respond.
Sort + Organize
Midway through: collect everything, sort it, discard damaged items, create an inventory.
Host Distribution Day 🎉
Set up a dignified distribution table — like a small "store" where people choose what they need. Post the time 5 days in advance.
Document + Share
Count everything. Take photos. Get testimonials. Post a wrap-up: "We collected 312 lbs of food and served 47 families!"
Week Timeline 📅
Budget 💸
Impact Ratings 📊
Launch: "We're running a [item] drive at [School]! Drop off donations at [locations] before [date]. Every item helps a neighbor in need. 📦❤️ #MutualAid"
Midpoint: "WE'VE COLLECTED [X] ITEMS! 🎉 We need [X more] to hit our goal. Can you donate before [date]?"
Wrap-Up: "WE DID IT. [#] items collected. [#] families helped. Thank you!! 🙏"
💭 Reflect: After the Drive
Create a structured program pairing upperclassmen with incoming freshmen for weekly check-ins, academic support, and social belonging. You'll recruit mentors, train them, match them with mentees, and track outcomes all year.
The first year of high school is one of the highest dropout-risk periods. Students with a trusted peer mentor are significantly more likely to stay engaged, ask for help, and feel like they belong.
Year Timeline 📅
💭 Reflect: After the Year
Research all the free resources in your community — food banks, tutoring programs, mental health hotlines, legal aid — compile them into a beautiful guide, and distribute it everywhere: schools, libraries, doctor's offices.
Information gaps are a form of inequality. People who know how to navigate the system get help. Your guide levels the playing field.
Define Your Scope
Start small — one neighborhood or zip code is perfect for a first guide.
Research Resources
Use 211.org, call your city's social services department, contact local nonprofits. Collect name, phone, address, website, hours.
Design in Canva
Clean layout, large fonts (readable by seniors!), icons for each category. Design a print PDF and a digital version.
Get It Reviewed
Share with your school counselor and a local nonprofit director. Ask: What's missing? What's unclear?
Print + Distribute 📤
Print 100–500 copies. Deliver to schools, libraries, churches, doctor's offices, laundromats. Post digital version on Facebook groups.
💭 Reflect
Partner with a local senior center to conduct recorded interviews with elderly residents, capturing their stories and wisdom. Compile into a published booklet, podcast, or video series — and give a copy to each participant's family.
Every year, irreplaceable life histories disappear when elders pass away without anyone recording their stories. This project creates living archives — and builds genuine bonds across generations.
"What was [your city] like when you were growing up?"
"What's the most important thing you've learned in your life?"
"Tell me about a moment that changed you."
"What do you wish younger people understood about your generation?"
💭 Reflect
Common mistakes to avoid ⚠️
- Underpricing yourself
- Taking on too many clients
- Not getting scope in writing
- Ghosting a client when things go wrong
- Waiting for "perfect" before launching
Choose Your Offer
Pick ONE specific product or service. What can you deliver reliably? What would you enjoy doing 10 times over?
Research Your Market
Look at Etsy, Fiverr, local Facebook groups. Price slightly below market to start, then raise once you have reviews.
Brand It!
Name + Canva logo + 2–3 colors + Instagram + Google Sites website. All free.
Get Your First 3 Customers
Tell 10 people. Offer a "founding client" discount for your first 3 customers in exchange for a review.
Deliver Exceptionally 🌟
Over-communicate. Deliver on time. If something goes wrong, fix it immediately. First customers define your reputation.
"Hey [Name], I just launched a small [service] business. I'm offering [service] for [price] — because you're one of my first clients, I'll do it for [discounted price] in exchange for an honest review. Interested?"
💭 Reflect: After Your First Month
A newsletter with 500 engaged subscribers is often more impressive to college admissions than 5,000 social media followers. It demonstrates consistency, niche expertise, writing ability, and audience-building — rare for a high schooler!
Choose Your Niche
Be specific! "A weekly guide to starting a business as a Gen Z teen" beats "a newsletter about life."
Choose Your Platform
Beginners: Substack (free, organic discovery). More customization: Beehiiv or Mailchimp.
Write 3 Issues Before Launching
Having issues ready means you can publish without pressure — and shows subscribers you're consistent!
Get Your First 50 Subscribers
Email everyone you know. Post on every social platform. Your first 50 come from your personal network — after that, content carries you.
Subject Line: Curiosity hook — e.g. "The resource every student should know about"
Hook: 1–3 sentences that immediately give value or surprise.
Main section: 300–500 words on your topic. Share your actual perspective!
Resource of the week: One link or tip your readers won't find elsewhere.
Quick Ask: One question for readers to reply to. Builds community! 💬
💭 Reflect: After 3 Months
Organize an event where students ages 12–18 set up booths, pitch their businesses to visitors, and sell to the community. Partner with a local chamber of commerce or bank. Award prizes!
- Vendor booths (student businesses)
- Pitch competition with judges
- Mentor speed-dating tables
- Sponsor showcase
- Awards ceremony 🏆
Charge vendors a booth fee ($10–$25). Sell sponsorships to local businesses ($100–$250). Apply for a youth grant. Sell tickets at $3–$5.
💭 Reflect
- Senior volunteer connector
- Local event aggregator for teens
- Free resource finder
- Neighborhood safety alerts
- Study group matcher
Not a coder? Use Glide, Bubble, or MIT App Inventor to build a real app without writing code from scratch. Your idea matters more than your syntax!
Define the Problem First!
Don't start by building. Start by asking: What specific problem does this solve? Write a 1-paragraph problem statement before writing a single line of code.
Talk to Your Users
Find 5–10 people who experience the problem. Have a 15-minute conversation: "Tell me about the last time you experienced [problem]. What would the ideal solution look like?"
Paper Prototype First
Draw your app's screens on paper before any digital design. Free and reveals problems early!
Build in Figma
Figma is free and the industry standard. Create a digital wireframe. Show it to 3 people from your target audience and watch what confuses them.
Build Your MVP
Minimum Viable Product = just the core feature. Build ONLY what solves the problem. Beauty comes later!
Beta Test with Real Users 🧪
Give your MVP to 10–20 real users. Watch them use it without explaining anything. Note every point of confusion.
Launch + Promote 🚀
Publish to Google Play (free) or use a web app. Reach out to local news — "Student builds app for [community problem]" is a story they'll cover!
| Experience Level | Recommended Tools |
|---|---|
| No coding | Glide, Bubble, AppGyver |
| Some coding | MIT App Inventor, Thunkable |
| Comfortable | React Native, Flutter |
| Advanced | Swift (iOS), Kotlin (Android) |
💭 Reflect: After Launch
Partner with a local elementary or middle school to run a free after-school coding club for kids who wouldn't otherwise get exposure to programming. You and classmates become the instructors!
You just have to be one lesson ahead. Scratch (scratch.mit.edu), Code.org, and CS First by Google all have free, pre-built curricula you can teach from. Zero lesson planning required!
Find Your Partner School
Email the principal or after-school coordinator. Most will say yes immediately — you're offering something free and valuable!
Choose Your Curriculum
Ages 7–10: Scratch (visual, block-based, fun!). Ages 11–14: Code.org CS Fundamentals. All free.
Recruit + Train Your Teaching Team
Run a 1-hour training where you go through lesson one together. Assign roles: Lead Instructor, Floating Helpers, Documentation Lead.
Host a Final Demo Day 🎊
End the program with a celebration where students show projects to parents and teachers. This is a portfolio moment for you AND a confidence moment for the kids!
💭 Reflect
Use accessible AI APIs (OpenAI, Google Gemini — most have free tiers!) or no-code AI tools to build something useful: a chatbot answering questions about local resources, a tool helping students write college essays, a plant identifier for a school garden.
- OpenAI API (free credits for new accounts) — build chatbots
- Google Teachable Machine (free) — image/sound recognition, no code
- Hugging Face Spaces (free) — deploy pre-built AI models
- Make.com + AI tools (free tier) — no-code automation
AI tools can produce incorrect or harmful outputs. Always tell users when they're talking to an AI. Test extensively. If your tool gives advice in sensitive areas, have a professional review the outputs.
💭 Reflect
Don't wait for the school drama club to cast you. Create your own production — original or public-domain — and take ownership of every element: directing, casting, set design, promotion, and performance.
Theater builds public speaking, ensemble work, creative problem-solving, and empathy — simultaneously. And the impact is immediate: you see the audience's faces in real time!
Choose Your Script
Write an original (ambitious but powerful!), adapt a public-domain work, or use a royalty-free script. Theme it around something your community cares about — mental health, identity, belonging.
Secure a Venue
Talk to your principal about using the auditorium. If not, try a library, church hall, community center, or outdoor space.
Hold Auditions
Create a notice in Canva. Hold 2 days of auditions. Cast based on best fit — commitment matters as much as talent!
Run Rehearsals
2–3 times per week for 8–12 weeks. Month 1: table reads + blocking. Month 2: scene work + memorization. Month 3: full run-throughs!
Perform + Document 🎥
Run 2–3 performances. Video record one. Photograph opening night. Thank your cast publicly — they worked for free because they believed in you.
Budget 💸
100-person audience × $8/ticket = $800! Enough to cover all costs and fund the next production.
Production Timeline 📅
💭 Reflect: After Closing Night
Organize a free outdoor or indoor concert series featuring student musicians and local bands. Partner with local businesses for sponsorship, use community spaces, and keep admission free!
Secure a Venue
Parks, school lots, amphitheaters. Contact your city's parks department — many have free permit processes for community events!
Book Performers
Start with student musicians. Offer: free promotion + experience + community exposure. Most student musicians will be thrilled!
Solve the Sound Problem 🎙️
Options: borrow from school music dept, rent from a local store ($50–$100), ask a band to bring their own PA.
Find Sponsors
Local businesses love sponsoring community events! Offer logo on flyers + social media mentions. $100–$300 from 2–3 sponsors covers your costs.
💭 Reflect
Create a high-quality, student-written magazine covering topics your school newspaper doesn't: mental health, local justice issues, youth entrepreneurship, arts reviews, cultural profiles — think less "school newspaper," more independent youth media!
- Editor-in-Chief: Vision + approves all content
- Managing Editor: Timeline + tracking
- Design Lead: Layout + visual consistency
- Section Editors: Edit drafts, maintain quality
Budget: Digital Issue 💸
Quarter-page ads from 5 local businesses at $25–$50 each = $125–$250 to fund print copies!
Define Your Editorial Identity
What will your magazine cover that nothing else does? Write a 1-paragraph editorial mission statement. Without a clear identity, your magazine becomes generic.
Create an Editorial Calendar
Plan each issue 6–8 weeks ahead. Set firm deadlines: pitch → draft → edit → design → publish. Missing one cascades into delays!
Design in Canva 🎨
Choose consistent layout templates. Pick 2–3 brand fonts and 3–5 colors. Your look should be distinctive enough that people recognize it instantly.
Publish + Distribute 📤
Digital: free Issuu account for a beautiful flipbook version. Print: Canva's print service or local printer. Always maintain a free digital version — accessibility matters!
Build Your Social Brand 📱
Create an Instagram for the magazine. Post teasers, behind-the-scenes, "meet the editor" features. Your magazine is a brand, not just a document!
💭 Reflect: After Your First Issue
A modern smartphone shoots better video than professional cameras from 10 years ago! Free editing: DaVinci Resolve (professional-grade), iMovie (Mac), CapCut (mobile). The $15 clip-on lavalier mic is your single best investment.
Choose Your Story
Ask older community members: "What do you wish younger people knew about this neighborhood?" Topics: a historic building, a cultural community, a civil rights story, a vanished industry.
Research Deeply First
Spend 2–3 weeks researching before filming. Your documentary will only be as good as your research!
Conduct Filmed Interviews
Quiet location + good natural light + lavalier mic. Always get written permission. Let interviews run long — the best moments often come after the obvious answers.
Gather B-Roll
Film: the locations you're discussing, relevant objects, people in daily life. Great B-roll is the difference between an interview and a documentary!
Screen + Distribute 🎞️
Host a community screening. Invite the people you interviewed. Upload to YouTube. Submit to student film festivals. This work deserves an audience!
💭 Reflect
Never paint anything without written permission from the property owner and any relevant city permits. This protects you AND ensures the project lasts!
Identify Your Site + Get Permission
Walk your neighborhood. Research property owners (county assessor's website). Contact them with a proposal: concept, materials, timeline, community benefit. Most property owners are flattered to be asked!
Engage the Community in Design
Ask: "What story should this wall tell? What matters most to people here?" The best public art is designed WITH the community, not just FOR it.
Execute + Host a Paint Day 🎨
Use exterior latex paint + gesso primer. Create a grid-transfer system to scale your design. Host a "Paint Day" where community members help — turns the project into an event!
💭 Reflect
Before publishing ANYTHING, have a licensed school counselor, therapist, or social worker review all materials. This protects your readers and gives your project credibility!
Conduct a School-Wide Needs Survey
5 anonymous questions: What topics do you wish school covered better? What barriers stop you from seeking help? The results shape everything.
Partner with Your School Counselor
Bring survey results. Ask them to be your faculty advisor and content reviewer. They want these resources to exist too!
Curate Resources
For each topic your survey identified, find 3–5 evidence-based resources: hotlines, apps, websites, local services. Write teen-friendly descriptions — not clinical, not scary. Approachable and honest.
Design in Canva + Distribute 📤
Printed zine/guide + simple website + wallet card. Place everywhere: counselor's office, bathrooms, library, health class.
💭 Reflect
Choose + Research Your Topic
Pick a topic your peers genuinely need better info about. Read 3+ credible sources (CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, Mayo Clinic).
Design Your Campaign Materials
Create: poster series (5–7 bold, visual posters), Instagram posts, a take-home infographic, and a short PSA video (film on your phone, edit in CapCut!).
Host a Lunch Info Table 🍽️
Set up for 1 week. Offer free supplies related to your topic. Have team members available to answer questions without judgment.
Classroom Presentations
Ask health teachers if you can do a 10-minute presentation. Peer-to-peer health info is MORE trusted and better retained than adult-to-student info!
💭 Reflect
Local government makes decisions about your school, neighborhood, and future EVERY DAY. Most public meetings are poorly attended. Your organized presence can literally change policy!
Research Your Local Government
Who is on your city council? Your school board? Your state representatives? Find it all at USA.gov. Create a 1-page "Know Your Reps" handout — this alone is valuable!
Run a Voter Registration Table
Set up at lunch near election season. Use Vote.gov. For students under 18: provide pre-registration info (available at 16–17 in many states)!
Teach Rep Contact Skills
Run a 10-minute workshop on how to write an effective letter to an elected official. Provide a template. Have everyone write one on the spot!
Attend a Public Meeting 🏛️
Organize a group to attend a school board meeting or city council session. Sign up for public comment. Have at least one student speak. This often gets photographed by local media!
Dear [Official's Name], My name is [Your Name] and I am a student at [School Name]. I am writing because I am concerned about [specific issue]. As a young person in this community, [how it personally affects you]. I am asking you to [specific, actionable request]. Thank you for your service to our community.
Respectfully, [Your Name] | [Address] | [Email]
💭 Reflect
Define What Awareness Means
Specific goals create measurable campaigns. "Know that 1 in 5 students in our district experience food insecurity" is better than "raise awareness about hunger."
Research Deeply First
Spend 2 weeks reading before creating anything. Use primary sources: government data, academic research, interviews with affected people. Know your topic BETTER than anyone you'll talk to.
Create Multi-Channel Content
Posters (5–10), Instagram posts (daily for 2 weeks), a fact sheet, a classroom deck, and a "call to action" card with specific ways to help.
Host a Conversation Event 💬
The most powerful part of a campaign is the conversation, not the posters. Host a panel, documentary screening, or discussion group.
Measure Your Impact 📊
Run a before/after survey. Comparing results gives you hard data on whether the campaign actually worked!
💭 Reflect
Identify a local, state, or school policy problem. Research it deeply. Write a formal policy brief. Then present it to school administrators, city council members, or nonprofit leaders who can actually implement your recommendation!
- Executive Summary: What's the problem + your recommendation?
- Background: Current situation, who's affected?
- Evidence: Data, what have other places tried?
- Recommendation: What specifically should decision-makers do?
- Implementation: How + what would it cost?
- Conclusion: Why now?
💭 Reflect
Plan, fund, build, and maintain a functional garden on your school grounds. Grow food for the cafeteria, provide hands-on science education, or supply a local food bank!
Get Admin Approval + Site Selection
Bring a simple proposal: location request, budget estimate, maintenance plan (crucial!), and intended use of produce.
Design the Garden
Use raised beds — better drainage, easier to maintain. 2–4 raised beds (4'×8' each) is a great start! Consult a local Master Gardener (many counties offer this free).
Secure Funding
Apply for: KidsGardening.org grants ($500–$3,000!), local nursery donations, school PTA funds. Local hardware stores often DONATE materials — just ask!
Host a Garden Build Day 🎊
Invite parents, teachers, students to help build, fill with soil, and plant the first seeds. Community event = shared ownership!
Create a Maintenance Schedule ⭐
THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP. Partner with a science or environmental class to make garden maintenance part of their curriculum. If the garden only works when you're there, it will die when you graduate.
Budget 💸
Best Crops 🌻
| Crop | Ease |
|---|---|
| Lettuce / greens | Very easy ⭐ |
| Cherry tomatoes | Easy ⭐ |
| Herbs (basil, mint) | Very easy ⭐ |
| Zucchini | Easy + prolific! |
| Radishes | Super fast (30 days!) |
💭 Reflect: After Your First Harvest
Administrators ignore vague environmental concern. They CANNOT ignore: "Your cafeteria sends 400 lbs of food to landfill weekly — costing $6,000/year that a composting partnership could eliminate." Specific data + cost savings = ACTION!
Request Permission + Data Access
Write a formal proposal requesting access to utility bills, cafeteria waste logs, recycling records. Frame it as something that will help the school SAVE MONEY — because it usually will!
Conduct the Audit
Areas: Energy (lights left on?), Water (leaky faucets?), Waste (what goes to landfill?), Transportation (how do students get to school?), Food (sourcing? waste?).
Write a Professional Report
5–10 pages: executive summary, key findings with data, specific recommendations with estimated cost savings. This will be shown to administrators and possibly media!
Present to Administration 🏫
Request 20 minutes with the principal and facilities manager. Lead with COST SAVINGS, not just environmental impact. Follow up in writing. Ask for a commitment to act on at least one recommendation.
💭 Reflect
Most cities will provide: free trash bags + gloves, a dumpster pickup, and sometimes publicity. Email your city's parks department — they LOVE partnering with student-led environmental projects!
Organize a coordinated neighborhood or park cleanup that goes beyond a simple trash pickup — partnering with your city's parks department, local businesses for supplies, and multiple schools for volunteers. The goal: make it an annual event your community looks forward to!
💭 Reflect
Art + Business
Curate + sell student artwork at a community exhibition. Proceeds go to a local cause. You handle curation, marketing, pricing, and sales.
Offer free brand design to local nonprofits while charging businesses market rate. The difference funds the pro bono work!
Technology + Service
Build a tech tutorial program for older adults at a senior center. Students pair with seniors for 1-on-1 sessions on smartphones, video calling, avoiding scams.
Audit your school's digital platforms for accessibility. Write a report + volunteer to implement fixes!
Health + Advocacy
Research nutritional standards in your district. Present data to your school board. Advocate for specific improvements — salad bars, reduced-price meal access.
Advocate for a school-wide mental health day policy — a day off each semester where students can rest. Build a coalition and present to administration!
Entrepreneurship + Community
Organize a recurring local market with student vendors + youth artists. Small booth fee covers costs. Admission free. Self-sustaining after event one!
Run a 6-week after-school program helping middle schoolers develop and pitch a business idea. Partner with a local bank for mentors + prize money!
"I am going to use my [INTEREST 1] skills to solve a problem in the area of [INTEREST 2] by [SPECIFIC PROJECT IDEA]."
Art · Music · Writing · Technology · Business · Health · Environment · Advocacy · Community · Education · Media · Design · Science · Athletics · Law · Finance
A portfolio is not a list of things you did. It's evidence of who you are — your taste, your capability, your values, and your growth. Done right, a project portfolio is worth more than any award.
📖 The Story
What was the problem? Why did it matter to you? What did you do? What changed?
📸 The Evidence
Photos, videos, screenshots, testimonials, data, articles, attendance numbers
💭 The Reflection
What did you learn? What failed? What did it tell you about yourself?
"Mutual Aid Drive — organized a community donation drive collecting 312 lbs of food for 47 families."
What gap or need did this address? Be specific and local.
Action-oriented. Start each with a strong verb: Led, Designed, Raised, Built, Coordinated, Published, Launched.
"Served 47 families, collected 312 lbs of food, recruited 8 volunteers, raised $200."
This is where your humanity shows. Often the most memorable part! ✨
A personal website is the most professional thing a high school student can have. It says: I take myself seriously. I want people to find my work. I have something to show.
- Google Sites — Simplest. Looks clean!
- Wix — Most design freedom. Free tier.
- Squarespace — Beautiful. $16/mo or .edu discount.
- GitHub Pages — Free + shows coding skills!
Get yourname.com for $10–$15/year from Namecheap or Google Domains. A custom domain instantly elevates your professionalism!
🏫 For College Applications
Common App format (150 chars):
[Action verb] + [what you built] + [impact in numbers]
Example: "Founded mutual aid drive; collected 312 lbs food, served 47 families, led 8 volunteers over 6 weeks"
🏆 For Scholarships
Most scholarship essays ask about leadership, community impact, or personal growth. Every project in this book is a scholarship essay waiting to be written!
Formula: What → Why → How → Impact
Yes, in high school! Add your project as "Experience." Future employers and internship coordinators will find you.
Email your local newspaper's education reporter. Student-led community projects are exactly what they cover. One article = massive documentation!
Build a page for your project. Document the journey publicly. This builds an audience AND creates a timestamped record of your work.
Now go build something.
You've read this far. You've found a project that excites you. Maybe you've already started making notes.
Here is what I know: the distance between a good idea and a real project is not talent, money, or age. It's the moment where you stop thinking and start doing. Where you send the first email. Make the first call. Put the first seed in the first hole.
That moment is available to you right now. Today. This afternoon.
The world isn't waiting for someone else to fix it.
It's waiting for you to start. ✨
— Soleil 💛