Fostering Connections and Collaboration

PVSchools congratulates Shadow Mountain JAG teacher Krystal Booher on earning the Plus Wonder Impact Award for fostering strong connections and collaboration among students by encouraging them to focus on “something bigger.” That concept became the driving force behind Shadow Mountain’s Jobs for America’s Graduates service-learning project earlier this year, transforming an abstract idea into a meaningful mission inspired by a senior Charlie N., who shared the story of losing his mother to breast cancer. Motivated by his experience, the class partnered with the nonprofit Girls Love Mail during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to write handwritten letters of encouragement to women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

The Matadors took the lead in expanding the project across campus by collaborating with the English Department. After pitching the initiative to teachers, English classes joined in by writing letters as part of their coursework, significantly increasing participation.The project sparked a noticeable shift in students, moving them from task-focused work to purpose-driven leadership. Charlie emerged as a powerful emotional leader, while other students gained confidence by stepping into leadership roles. By the end of the project, more than 500 letters had been collected, demonstrating how small, local actions can create a meaningful ripple effect and reminding students that there is truly something bigger than themselves.

Contact Shadow Mountain today to learn how your child can become a part of the JAG program!