Teacher-Mentor, in Vote You for President Student Competition, Recycles Winnings into Continued Student Impacts

The Center for the Philosophy of Freedom’s Vote You for President student competition culminated in an awards night on Nov. 21 at the University of Arizona Campus Store. The event showcased the work of over 70 middle and high school students from southern Arizona, all with passionate ideas on how to better our country. Students, families, and friends came together to hear five high school finalists deliver their speeches to their community. Thanks to participating teachers and homeschooling guardians, the audience was comprised of more than 100 attendees. In an effort to recognize the contributions of the participating teachers who motivated their classes to submit, the evening’s awards included two $500 cash raffle prizes for teachers. One winner was Angela Nevico.

Nevico is a career and engineering teacher at Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School. She is constantly using her classroom as a launching pad for innovative programs and ideas, like joining in the Vote for You contest. Nevico’s students were closely engaged in the competition, with more than 50 participating and several earning awards. Students visited the Museum of Democracy exhibit on the U of A campus for tours with Mari Clark, MOD Outreach Coordinator, to research the topic and find inspiration for their submission.

“The project allowed my students to envision themselves as presidential candidates. Helping my students see themselves with illustrious futures is my favorite part of my job,” Nevico said. At the MOD Tour, Nevico also shared with one Freedom Center staff-member about her passion to open her students’ eyes to the many diverse career paths open to them—“there’s so much more they can do outside of traditional careers…these kids can be anything,” she said.

Nevico’s goals for making a positive impact didn’t end after the competition. At Billy Lane Lauffer, 75 percent of students are from low income families and over 35% are on the free and reduced lunch plan (according to studies from the US Department of Education). Nevico saw a clear need for accessibility to fresh, healthy food. She used her raffle winnings to launch an aquaponics system in her classroom, aimed at teaching students how to grow food sustainably while continuing to explore potential career pathways.

After the ceremony, a Facebook Marketplace posting from Tucson local Del Randall helped turn the idea into reality. Randall assisted in assembling and setting up the system. He described the collaboration as “her brainchild, my tools and innovation,” adding, “I was just happy to participate and see how the younger generation is willing to learn.” The project builds on both personal history and present-day needs.

I’ve always been passionate about teaching children to grow their own food. You never know when that knowledge will come in handy. My grandma taught me about the need for victory gardens in WW2. I wanted to show our students how to sustainably grow at home the vegetables that they grow daily.

Currently, students are tracking the daily temperature, humidity, and plant size. I’ve already had students ask me about the seeds that come from this harvest and if they can take them home! As part of this project, the students will be building their own mini aquaponic gardens using recycled items like cereal boxes from home. We will submit our results to SARSEF (Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Foundation) and then harvest our veggies for an all day salad buffet.

~ Angela Nevico, Career and Engineering Teacher at Billy Lane Lauffer Middle School

For Nevico, the project reflects the same civic-minded spirit and innovation the Vote You for President student competition aims to cultivate. “Helping my students see their potential the way I see their potential is my job. If I can make it, they can too. It isn’t a fluke, it comes from determination, ambition and perseverance. Those are qualities they demonstrate to me every single day. I’m inspired by them. The future is theirs. I’m just preparing them for it,” she said.

The Freedom Center congratulates Angela Nevico and all of her students for jobs well done! Those interested in sponsoring or partnering with Angela Nevico’s classroom aquaponics project can contact her at angelan1@susd12.org.