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A group of Heritage High School seniors are conducting service projects to benefit their school and the Blount County community.

Linda Goins' third year early childhood education students are required to do a nine-week service project in their class, which is later entered into a Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) competition.

Megan Montgomery, Kayla Herron and Ashley Latham have organized a mentoring program for freshman girls called Chit-Chat.

"It gives (freshmen) a place to talk about things and not be judged," explained Montgomery. "In your freshman year you're getting picked on and you don't know where to go, because it's so much bigger than a middle school," added Herron.

The three seniors have been meeting with four freshmen before school on Fridays. Visitors are initially given a survey that helps the seniors decide what topics should be addressed. The mentors has already talked with the freshmen about family, peer pressure and appearance.

Montgomery, Herron and Latham are not discouraged by only having three or four freshmen to mentor. "We can tell we're helping. The girls were shy at first and they're not shy now," said Montgomery.

The three seniors also socialize with the freshmen outside of the Chit-Chat program, said Herron.

The participating freshmen seem to really appreciate the program. "We get really good feedback and advice from someone who has experienced (similar things). These are things everybody goes through and we should have a chance to make it through," said one of the freshmen.

Guidance counselors are usually present during the student mentoring program in case an issue comes up.

Children's book drive

Emily Holloway, Chelsey Stevens and Danielle Gibson organized a children's book drive and now make weekly visits to the Blount County Children's Advocacy Center.

During their book drive, the three seniors collected 135 books and nearly $200. The student response was phenomenal, said Holloway. Their fellow classmates brought in loose change, and one student brought in an entire bag of change, said Gibson.

The girls read to children and make crafts with them during the center's Tuesday support group meeting. The group also tries to incorporate a theme into every week's lesson. The girls might, for example, read Karen Katz's "The Colors of Us" and make friendship bracelets, said Holloway.

The group is offering an incentive plan for parents who read to their children. If parents read one hour a week to their children, the three seniors will donate a book to the family.

"Little kids need a lot of support and attention, and they need a buddy," said Holloway.

Goins expected these great projects from her students, she said. "They're really awesome girls. I wanted them to find their passion," said Goins. "I want them to grow and be able to give back to the community. I don't want them to be a taker."