An intense dislike of milk and a personality of one who takes action has led CCMS sixth grader Ava Saggus to seek support from her school’s leaders to install an ice and water dispenser in the cafeteria.
At just 11 years old, Ava is already making waves as an advocate for change at her school. A sixth grader with a passion for staying hydrated and active, Ava is on a mission to convince school administrators and the health department to install the dispenser in the cafeteria—an option she believes is essential for students who don’t drink milk.
A multi-sport athlete who participates in gymnastics, soccer, track, cheer, and basketball, Ava understands firsthand the importance of hydration. “Drinking lots of water gives me energy,” she says. Ava spied an opportunity for improvement with creation of a dedicated access to cold water in the cafeteria.
Ava’s inspiration came from seeing a water and ice dispenser in the teacher’s lounge in the elementary school where her mom teaches. “I really liked it and wondered why we couldn’t have something like that in the cafeteria,” she recalls. From that moment, she set out to make it happen.
“Ava’s leadership and determination have been on full display while working on a proposal for CCMS,” Principal Dr. Robin Stephenson said. “She has showcased her ability to inspire others and initiate change within our school community.”
For the past five to seven months, Ava has been diligently working on her proposal. She researched various dispenser options, considering both efficiency and cost. While some dispensers are more affordable, she acknowledges that they may not be as effective. She has seen potential models available at Lowe’s and Walmart, weighing the costs and benefits of each. One challenge is the maintenance cost, which could reach $300 to $400 per month if the school opts for a model requiring bottled water rather than one connected to a water line.
Ava crafted a detailed presentation, spending about a month putting together her arguments and research. With help from Dr. Stephenson and English teacher Carl Roberts, who reviewed her work, she presented her case to the county’s health inspector, Dr. Stephenson, and her classmates.
Ava isn’t new to tackling community projects. Even as a kindergartener and first grader, she took initiative by making posters and collecting donations for nursing home residents. “Yeah, I’d probably call myself an activist,” she says with a smile.
“Student leadership is a priority for us as we develop the next generation workforce for our community,” Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes said.
Her peers are supportive, with many friends backing her efforts. “Everybody here says I should help get this water dispenser in the cafeteria,” she shares. And she’s not giving up anytime soon—her goal is to see the dispenser installed next year.