Governor’s Project

About

The Governor's Project "Shaping Scholars" aims to confront the educational inequality that students across Texas and Oklahoma face every day. It calls on Key Clubbers to advocate for, support, and strengthen education in their communities, whether by tutoring, fundraising, donating school supplies, or simply raising awareness about the gaps in our local schools.

Our District ranks among the lowest in the nation for education. Texas sits at 30th, and Oklahoma at 50th, leaving thousands of students without the resources they need to succeed. Rural regions across T-O often have outdated materials, fewer extracurriculars, and limited access to advanced coursework, while language barriers prevent many students from fully engaging with their education.

This project recognizes that education is the foundation of opportunity. When students are given the tools, mentorship, and resources they need, they are empowered to pursue their dreams, give back to their communities, and break cycles of inequity. Through "Shaping Scholars," we are calling on every Key Clubber to take a stand for educational equity and help shape the next generation of leaders.

Main Goals

  • Raise awareness on educational inequality across Texas and Oklahoma

  • Launch donation campaigns to support local school districts

  • Increase district Schoolhouse sign-ups by 50%

  • Partner with UNICEF to support global education initiatives

  • Donate 1,000+ school supplies and books to under-resourced classrooms across T-O

  • Open 50+ Little Free Libraries across the district

  • Get the project’s initiatives publicized and supported by 5+ school districts

Learn more

Service Ideas

  • Schoolhouse

    • Sign up as a Schoolhouse tutor and offer free peer tutoring → Schoolhouse.world

    • Host a Schoolhouse sign-up drive at your school or club meeting

    • Promote Schoolhouse on your club's social media to grow district participation

    • Create short videos or infographics explaining how Schoolhouse work

  • UNICEF

    • Host fundraisers and donate proceeds to UNICEF's education programs

    • Partner with or charter your own UNICEF club

    • Create media to showcase UNICEF's global education initiatives

    • Run a "books for kids" donation drive in partnership with UNICEF

  • Tutoring & Mentoring Based

    • Offer free peer tutoring at your school for younger students or struggling classmates

    • Host SAT/ACT prep sessions for underclassmen

    • Read aloud at local elementary schools or public libraries

    • Mentor middle schoolers transitioning into high school

    • Volunteer as a homework helper at after-school programs

  • Donation Based

    • Host a school supply drive for under-resourced districts

    • Collect gently used books for local elementary schools or Little Free Libraries

    • Organize a backpack drive at the start of the school year

    • Run a fundraiser to donate calculators, art supplies, or classroom materials

    • Partner with Title I schools in your area to identify their greatest needs

  • Language Access

    • Help translate school documents, flyers, or newsletters for ESL families

    • Host bilingual study groups for ESL students

    • Create bilingual vocabulary guides or study resources

    • Partner with your school's ESL program to support immigrant students

    • Volunteer as a translator at parent-teacher conferences

  • Rural Outreach

    • Start a penpal program between your club and a rural T-O school

    • Run donation drives specifically targeting rural classrooms

    • Host virtual tutoring sessions for students without local resources

    • Partner with rural Key Clubs to share materials, ideas, and support

  • Awareness Based

    • Design and distribute posters about educational inequality around your school

    • Collaborate with other clubs (NHS, Spanish Honor Society, Debate, etc.) to spread the message

    • Conduct workshops or webinars about education access in T-O

    • Create videos and social media content about the importance of equitable education

    • Write op-eds or articles in your school newspaper about local education issues

“How can my club apply for the Governor’s Project award?”

Each year, the club that earns the most points for its participation in the Governor's Project receives an award at LEDCON! If your club is thinking of applying, make sure to review the rubric to maximize your points.

Tips and reminders for applying:

  • Start planning now to make sure you have everything you need before the end of the year

  • Create a folder to organize all of your evidence and documentation

  • Take photo evidence of every service event and monthly challenge

  • Plan out which monthly challenges you'll be doing and when to stay organized

  • Promote the General Flier and Monthly Challenges in newsletters, website/social media, and general meeting presentations

  • Make sure to fill out the corresponding questions on the monthly report form

For any questions, contact:

Governor Bisan Abdalla: bisanabdallakc@gmail.com