Establishing a legacy in community trailblazing
This year, 18 students in the Class of 2025 at Scotia-Glenville High School will make history as the first group of Tartans to graduate with the prestigious New York State Seal of Civic Readiness. Thanks to the newly introduced Civics Capstone course, taught and developed by Mr. Conor Quinn and Mrs. Kerry Saati, 18 seniors will walk across the stage with this special distinction, marking a milestone in the school’s commitment to civic engagement and community service.
The Civics Capstone course, launched during the 2024-2025 school year, was designed to empower students to think critically about issues affecting their school and community while developing real-world solutions. The course combined traditional government lessons with hands-on projects, allowing students to leave a lasting impact on Scotia-Glenville and beyond. “We wanted to create a class that not only taught students about civic participation but also gave them the tools to make meaningful change,” said Mr. Quinn.
Throughout the year, students worked collaboratively to brainstorm ideas, research solutions, and execute projects that addressed pressing needs in their community. The fall semester featured a job fair for their peers in grades 9-12, while the spring semester saw three unique initiatives: a wellness day, a free book fair, and a tech workshop for senior citizens. Each project showcased the creativity, dedication, and problem-solving skills of the students involved.
To earn the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness, students had to meet requirements, including completing their capstone projects, writing research papers, and participating in government lessons. The research papers provided an overview of their projects, explained the importance of their ideas, and included reflections supported by data collected during the initiatives. For example, the duo who founded the wellness day cited national surveys highlighting the decline in student mental health, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and social media use, to justify their project’s significance.
Mr. Quinn and Mrs. Saati were thrilled with the results of the inaugural Class of 2025. “We had a general idea of what we wanted this class to look like, but the students exceeded all expectations,” said Mr. Quinn. “They thought deeply about the issues affecting their community and worked collaboratively to create solutions. This first group of students set the bar high and created a solid foundation for future classes.”
The Civics Capstone course also served as a fitting end to the students’ high school careers, providing them with an opportunity to leave behind a legacy of service and leadership. “I think this class is an antidote to the tendency to coast through senior year,” said Mr. Quinn. “It gives students a chance to create something meaningful and show that they can make lasting change in their community.”
The impact of the Civics Capstone projects has already been felt throughout the school and community. Faculty members have expressed interest in continuing the initiatives, and students have left behind traditions that could benefit future generations. “It’s amazing to see how much these students have accomplished in just one year,” said Mrs. Saati. “They’ve set a precedent for what this program can achieve.”
As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, they leave behind more than memories—they leave a legacy of civic engagement, creativity, and service. With the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness proudly displayed on their diplomas, these Tartans are ready to take on the world, armed with the knowledge that they can make a difference wherever they go.
Projects
- Wellness Day: Organized by Myah Getter, and Alice Nichter this event offered high school students various wellness activities, such as yoga, painting, therapy dogs, and sports, to promote mental health. Click this link for the legacy of promoting health story and video.
- Tech with Teens: Led by Ansley Keith, Josh Frament, Connor Raynsford, and Abigayle Snyder, this workshop at Glenville Senior Center helped older adults learn to use technology, such as smartphones and apps. It received positive feedback and requests for future events. Click the link for the legacy of connection and service story.
- Book Fair: Ava Card, Nicole Fernandez, and Reilly Misiewicz hosted a free book fair for Sacandaga students, ensuring every student could leave with books. They collected over 800 donated books and included activities like bookmark-making and raffles for new book sets. Click the link for the legacy of kindness and contribution story.
- Job Fair: In the first semester, Katherine Crounse, Keira Doman, Finn Farnan, Madeline Gish, Emily Heiner, Ethan Higgins, Sydney McGinnis, Kaylee Obman, and Nicholas Vassar planned, organized and offered an event that provided an opportunity for their peers to connect with nearly 25 local businesses and organizations. Click this link for the story about an inspiring trip to the NYS Capitol Campus and this link for a video about the job fair for their peers.
Class Details
- Students earned the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness by completing their projects, writing research papers, and participating in government lessons.
- Eighteen SGHS seniors will graduate with the Seal this year.
- The class emphasized creativity, collaboration, and community service that prepares students for life beyond high school.