As a Project 351 ambassador, Wilbraham Middle School eighth grader Ian Stratton will help his community and grow his leadership skills.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
WILBRAHAM — Ian Stratton, an eighth grader at Wilbraham Middle School, has lots of ideas about how to help the people around him. Now, he has been given a chance to do just that as a Project 351 ambassador.
Project 351, is a nonprofit youth leadership organization that began in 2011. Named for the number of cities and towns in Massachusetts, it was based on work by Carolyn Casey and embraced by then-Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Project 351 invites eighth graders across the state to be ambassadors and help grow their community leadership skills. In its first year, Project 351 was a one-day program in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. A year later, it grew into the yearlong initiative it is today.
Each month while school is in session, the ambassadors will work on service projects, such as food and clothing drives, fundraise for causes chosen by the Ambassador Class of 2024, and take part in leadership development and community building. They will also participate in the Playbook Initiative, an anti-bias, anti-discrimination workshop presented in partnership with the Boston Celtics.
Being selected as an ambassador begins in the classroom. Each eighth grade student is allowed to nominate one person. Teachers review the nominations, and the principal makes the final decision. Despite being chosen by peers, Wilbraham Middle School Principal John Derosia said, “It’s not a popularity contest.”
The program sets out criteria for ambassadors. To be nominated, students must “lead with an open heart and mind; exemplify the values of kindness, compassion, humility and gratitude; reflect respect for the dignity of all and for the diversity of culture, race, heritage and lived experiences; be able to work independently but also value teamwork demonstrate a strong ethic of service — at school, extracurricular activities, houses of worship or to their family because of unique and challenging circumstances and reflect a strong potential and desire to learn and lead.”
Stratton said, “It’s really about wanting to help people and your community.”
Derosia reflected, “Ian’s overcome so much.” Born without a left hand, Stratton was adopted from China at age 7. Now, at 14 years old, Stratton said, “I see myself as very fortunate. I didn’t used to be fortunate but now I am, and I want everyone else to be fortunate.” He added, “I think everybody really tries to hide the fact that they are in need, [but] I see people wearing the same thing all the time. Maybe they don’t eat lunch because they can’t afford it.”
When it comes to his future, Stratton has big plans. “I want to be rich,” he said. However, the teen has more than money in mind. He plans to pursue either a career as a lawyer or a biomedical engineer. He said, “Being a lawyer helps a lot of people who are getting divorced or being sued.” On the other hand, he said he wants to improve the medical equipment that is available.
Derosia said that the school began participating in Project 351 three years ago after a hiatus during COVID-19. Students who participated in previous years are now in high school and Derosia said they are still producing ideas to help lead their peers. Of students’ ability to lead, he said, “Some of it’s intrinsic but others didn’t know they had it in them.”
Considering the ability of young people to help their communities, Stratton said, “I do think it’s hard for children my age to find opportunities. You, yourself, can be insecure, and there’s a lot going on around you. I hope we all get the chance to help people because it’s really rewarding.”
