Visitors Inspiring the Nesters

It finally feels like spring! The clocks have jumped ahead and so have our Nesters. They are furiously putting finishing touches on their projects. Over the last few months we have been fortunate to have some guests come in and talk with the Nesters about their careers. We enjoyed hearing about civil engineering from Ms. Simmons and nutrition from Ms. LaRock. Both speakers emphasized the importance of learning, in particular math and science skills. We also worked on a fundraiser for AMPED for Education www.ampedforeducation.org, a nonprofit organization that built a school for children in Nicaragua. AMPED was founded by Smith Academy teacher Jeff Pluta.  Mr. Pluta has brought groups of students with him to Nicaragua during school vacations to help work on the school.  He and some of the SA kids who went to Nicaragua came to share their amazing stories with us.  The Nesters were so inspired by the work of AMPED they wanted to help.  The Nesters organized a schoolwide penny drive that raised over $600 for AMPED!  Mr. Pluta is coming back to show the Nesters exactly how the money they raised will impact the lives of people in Nicaragua.  It is a great opportunity for the kids to see how they can make a difference in the lives of others.