WALDORF, Md. — Sophomores at St. Charles High School in Charles County took ownership of local issues this spring through the Project Citizen curriculum, identifying community concerns and developing policy solutions as part of hands-on civic education.
Students worked in groups of four to seven from March through early April on the six-step process developed by the Center for Civic Education. They selected problems relevant to Southern Maryland, gathered data through research and interviews with community members and officials, created portfolios, and presented arguments during a simulated public hearing.
The showcase occurred April 9, 2026, before a panel of judges. Michael Colatruglio, a social studies teacher at St. Charles who teaches local, state and national government, emphasized the student-driven nature of the work. “This project is totally student owned. There is zero teacher intervention as far as doing the work for them,” he said.
Projects addressed real challenges in Charles County and the broader region. Examples included the lack of sidewalks in neighborhoods, pollution of the Potomac River, the need for more recreational spaces for children and teens, limited job opportunities for youth, and proposals such as the Teen First Higher Guarantee Act and initiatives for future economic success.
Students learned to collaborate in digital environments, consider multiple stakeholders, analyze opposing viewpoints, and understand barriers to policy change. Damon Jenkins Jr., a sophomore on the Lack of Sidewalks team, described the difficulty of building support. “I think the most challenging part was finding people who would support our cause. We had to convince them that it’s important to be considerate of all people. This issue affects everyone.”
Hayley Ressler, another St. Charles social studies teacher, noted the value of the extended research phase. “I think students generally learned a lot about why solutions can’t just happen overnight through this project. The research on identifying and isolating a specific issue is one task that takes a lot of effort before you even start coming up with ideas.”
The program prepares teens nearing voting age to engage in democratic processes. It strengthens skills in critical thinking, advocacy, collaboration and understanding government levels and policy development.
Marcie Taylor-Thoma, Ph.D., director of the Maryland Council for Civic & History Education, served as a judge and praised the students’ grasp of policy. “They are developing confidence and agency. I loved their understanding of policy and levels of government.” She said Project Citizen gives young people practical experience in civic participation.
Four teams earned top honors and advance to the state Project Citizen event scheduled for May 28, 2026, in Annapolis. The advancing teams and members are:
- Potomac River Pollution — Brooklyn Benfield, Gregory Davis III, Jeriah Proctor and Chase Reynolds.
- Lack of Sidewalks — Damon Jenkins Jr., Brianna Julian, Kinleigh Fraser, Jiselle Warren and Ania Robin.
- Teen First Higher Guarantee Act — Devin Hall, Ciara Hine, Angelina Busch, Anthony White, Braylon Smith, Karina Urrutia Merren and Khalil Williams.
- Future Economic Success — Helena Webb, Logan Perry-Hardin, Tatum Anderson, Kharri Lee-Corbett, Amira Ligonde, Adrianne Cheatham and Drew Hinson.
St. Charles High School, part of Charles County Public Schools, serves students in Waldorf and surrounding communities in Southern Maryland. The Project Citizen showcase reflects broader efforts in the tri-county area to foster informed, active citizenship among youth. Local issues such as Potomac River health, infrastructure needs and youth opportunities connect directly to daily life in Charles County, where growth, environmental stewardship and economic development remain key concerns.
Teachers Colatruglio and Ressler have long supported civic programs at the school, including We the People and Model UN teams. Their guidance helps students translate classroom learning into real-world advocacy skills that can benefit Southern Maryland communities for years ahead.
Charles County residents can follow the advancing teams’ progress at the state level in May. The initiative demonstrates how public schools equip the next generation to address local challenges through evidence-based proposals and respectful dialogue.
