HOLLYWOOD, Md. — Middle school leaders from the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at St. John’s School in Hollywood, Maryland, brought joy and meaningful connection to local seniors through a student-led service project funded by a national grant.
On May 7, 2025, students visited Cedar Lane Retirement Community, where they helped residents create personalized scrapbooks to spark memories and conversation. The project aimed to reduce isolation among seniors and foster bonds between students and the senior residents.
The initiative was made possible by a grant from the Allstate Foundation through the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). This marks the first year NJHS and National Honor Society (NHS) chapters have been eligible for grants from the foundation. The student-led effort was selected from a nationally representative group of student leaders to receive a grant ranging from $200 to $1,000 to bring a community-focused idea to life.
St. John’s was one of several schools nationwide selected to participate in the program, which offers more than $140,000 to support community engagement.
The project was supported by St. John’s Spanish teacher Gloria Dempsey, co-moderator of the National Junior Honor Society alongside moderator Barbara Skane. Dempsey’s daughter, Cecilia Dempsey, an eighth grader and student president of NJHS, serves on the student board that leads NJHS activities on campus and played a key role in the effort. Cecilia previously participated in a similar scrapbooking project at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home for her Girl Scout Silver Award and proposed the idea to NJHS leadership at St. John’s.
“We wanted to do something really special with them this year,” said Gloria Dempsey.
Cecilia Dempsey said students prepared kits with scrapbooks, stickers, glue and fun items to add to the scrapbooks. Seniors were encouraged to bring photos, but many did not.
“We provided enough stickers and stock photos that seniors could tell whatever story in the scrapbooks that they desired. We also took photos while we were there that were printed and added to scrapbooks. Many seniors wanted pictures with members of our NJHS to remember this special day,” said Cecilia.
According to Gloria Dempsey, the experience left a lasting impression on both students and residents. Dempsey recalled one interaction in which a senior resident, paired with two boys, responded to a simple question: “How has your week been?” by saying, “It’s so much better now that you’re here.”
Gloria Dempsey also recounted that another student’s aunt, a resident at Cedar Lane, shared with the group that “whenever you’re there it’s like a light gets turned on.”
Cecilia Dempsey said she hopes the project shows others that sharing memories and spending time with seniors can bring them joy.
“We often forget about seniors, especially those in retirement homes, and sharing a day of memories and fun with them makes a huge difference in their day or week or even beyond. We want more schools and student groups to reach out to the seniors so that they feel loved and seen more often,” she said.
Those interested in NASSP grants can visit https://www.natstuco.org/leadership-development/nassp-student-service-grants/2025-grant-recipients/ for more information.
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