Article Text

Two Langley High School seniors are working to narrow educational gaps in Fairfax County after seeing that students at nearby Title I schools lacked access to programs and resources available in wealthier communities.

Sophie Li and Lily Zhang founded The Rising Star Fund as sophomores two years ago. The student-led nonprofit now has nine members from several area schools and supports summer camps, after-school clubs and classroom equipment.

“We saw that there were really big disparities in access from these Title I schools just a few miles away compared to wealthier schools in McLean, like Langley High School and McLean High School,” Li said. “And we were hoping to really bridge that gap.”

The students have collected more than $10,000 through bake sales, lemonade stands and other community events. The money has purchased document cameras and projectors for Dogwood Elementary and helped restore after-school programs at Garfield Elementary.

Because the high school students could not always volunteer at the after-school clubs, the nonprofit paid the teachers who supervised them.

“Every single kid deserves a chance,” Sophia Ji said. She said the group wants other students to enjoy opportunities similar to those its members have received.

The nonprofit also stepped in after learning that budget cuts had left Garfield students without an affordable summer camp nearby. Last summer, its members organized a weeklong STEAM camp for 15 children.

Each day began with a science lesson, followed by activities that included making slime, toothpaste and tie-dye creations. Garfield provided a classroom, snacks and lunches.

Some children were so eager to participate that their parents walked them to school every day because they did not have access to a car, senior Grace Chun said.

“Throughout the summer camp, we did try and educate them for science,” Zhang said. “But I think what had a lasting impact on all of us were the children that we met.”

Chun said an internship as a teacher’s assistant, which overlapped with the nonprofit’s early work at a Title I school, clarified how she wanted to help others.

Although the nonprofit’s student leaders are all seniors, they hope to carry the idea to their college campuses this fall. They also plan to reunite each summer and expand camp access for children who otherwise could not attend.

“I know that there are a bunch of other people our age who are interested in helping underprivileged students,” Zhang said.