Sustain.

It’s a simple word but, for Fountain Hills High School teacher Claire McWilliams and her students, it’s a word that carries a lot of weight.

That’s why the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) group has chosen the word “Sustain” to not only be the title for this year’s major community service project, but also to serve as the backbone for all of this year’s activities surrounding the project.

“The project goal is to learn about sustainability, because I don’t think that it’s something that’s already in most people’s consciousness,” McWilliams said.

“What is sustainability? I think a lot of people think it’s only environmental, but it’s really everything. It’s people, planet and profit. So how do we create a way of living that makes the most of what you have and doesn’t overuse anything?”

McWilliams said that sustainability finds a balance between those “Three P’s,” finding a model that benefits the people, their environment and the commerce that surround them.

McWilliams went on to explain that this year’s project will take on a different form from years past, putting students in greater control for determining how they will contribute.

Last year, for instance, the Falcons chose to tackle the issue of the foster system.

“We chose one topic, one organization and we did one major project for that organization,” she added.

“Students are now getting into small teams and choosing which part of the Three P’s they want to focus on, and creating their own mini-projects surrounding them.”

One example McWilliams gave was a group of students who have created the “Water Bottle Challenge.” They’ll be selling reusable water bottles on campus to raise funds for the Sustain project, while challenging their fellow students and teachers to use those water bottles regularly rather than buying disposable bottles.

Another group is gearing their project at helping victims of domestic violence create a new life for themselves, learning how to interview, etc.

“The rule we’ve set is that it can’t be a one-time thing,” McWilliams said.

“Whatever you’re helping with has to build for a sustainable future.”

McWilliams said that the educational aspect of the project has her most excited, because she doesn’t feel that it’s a big enough part of modern conversation.

“Just getting people to understand what sustainability really is, I think, is a great goal for this project,” McWilliams added.

“Sustainability isn’t a topic that you teach about once. It should be engrained in everything you’re teaching. It should become a conversation we’re having on a regular basis. It’s looking at the world in a different way.”

To cap this project off, McWilliams and several of her students will be making one of their memorable international trips to create change in the world outside of Fountain Hills and Arizona.

Next summer, FCCLA will travel to Costa Rica to continue its efforts, joining residents in various community service projects and continuing to spread their message of sustainability.

Sustain

FCCLA members Emily Pall, Emilee Gharbi and Kaelan Loving are all part of the team that will be traveling to Costa Rica next year. In the meantime, though, they will be working within their individual groups to work on sustainability projects here in Fountain Hills and around the Valley.

According to Loving, FCCLA decided that it was time to tackle a broader project this year, opening up the scope and giving students a chance to put a more personal spin on organizing and conducting their community service activities.

“Basically, we’re getting into groups with other kids and picking things that we have a passion for,” Loving said.

“I’m focusing on the topic of homelessness, and we’re going to be working with a homeless shelter for part of our project. It’s a different approach and it gives us a chance to explore the things that we have a bigger interest in, when it comes to helping others.”

Gharbi is in the same group as Loving, while Pall’s group is focusing on those who are crossing the border and finding themselves in unfortunate circumstances.

“We want to deal with their human needs at the time, including food, shelter, water, and having someone to talk to in their time of need,” she said.

“The goal of the project is to help build a sustainable future; long lasting and durable.”

Gharbi said that FCCLA’s projects usually focus on “how can we fix the problem right now.” Loving added that, with Sustain, the group is this year trying to have an even longer-lasting impact with its efforts.

The trio agreed that they are very excited for the Costa Rica portion of the project and the work they will be able to do there. They stated that most folks see Costa Rica as a paradise vacation destination, but that their efforts will focus on communities on the opposite side of that coin.

“We’re actually going into the rainforest and splitting off into groups once we get to our destination at a technical school there,” Pall said.

“We have lots of options, like mucking out a pond, teaching English, painting and construction. Some will also do work in the Cloud Forest Preserve, but I’m not sure what, exactly we’ll be doing there.”

Gharbi said she is excited to get involved with the community FCCLA will call home while they’re there.

“I want to see how they live,” she added.

“I think sometimes we think that the things we are given in life are just there. They have to work for those things, and I want to experience that for myself.”