Thursday, July 10, 2025
Baldwin Middle School students and staff joined local families in raising $3,000 this year to help build a school in Guatemala through Hug It Forward, a nonprofit that constructs environmentally sustainable classrooms using recycled plastic bottles.
Orchestrating the fundraising effort were the school’s Student Interest Organization, advised by Courtney Nelson and Ashley Firmbach, and the National Junior Honor Society, led by Laurie Tricamo. The school hosted a movie night and carnival to raise funds, while families contributed an additional $1,200.
“After committing to being a school rooted in service and successfully completing our first global service project supporting students in Africa in 2024, we were eager to expand our impact,” the advisors wrote in a joint statement. “In alignment with this goal, our Superintendent shared her 2023 experience building a school in Guatemala through the organization Hug It Forward.”
The three advisors said Erica Taylor, the school’s principal, introduced the idea of partnering with Hug It Forward after being inspired by the superintendent’s experience.
Founded in 2009, Hug It Forward promotes awareness of environmental sustainability and education equity in Latin America. The group builds “bottle schools” using eco-bricks — plastic bottles filled with inorganic waste — as a low-cost and community-driven alternative to traditional construction.
“This project has been a meaningful way to bring Baldwin 2035 to life, especially through the lens of civic engagement, global citizenship, and real-world relevance,” the advisors said. “We encouraged students to think critically about their role as change-makers and they also had the opportunity to reflect on the importance of education and how accessibility to learning varies across the world. This inspired them to explore how something as simple as a local fundraiser can have a world-wide impact.”
Students played a central role in planning, advertising and executing the fundraising events, developing leadership and problem-solving skills along the way.
“Through this project, students gained a deeper understanding of global citizenship and the power of collective action,” the advisors added. “They learned that service extends beyond their immediate community and that even small efforts, when combined, can create meaningful change.”
“Our students didn’t just raise money — they raised hope,” Taylor said. “Baldwin Middle School showed that compassion has no borders. Their efforts to support education for children in Guatemala prove that even the smallest acts of kindness can change the world.
“Together, we’re not just learning about the world, we’re making it better,” she continued. “This type of service work also ties into the district’s Baldwin 2035 vision, which emphasizes the six C’s of education, including civics.”
Baldwin 2035 is a strategic initiative that prepares students to be active, engaged citizens in a rapidly changing world, by focusing on skills like civic responsibility, collaboration and global awareness.
