Oct. 7, 2026: At The Chapel School, students are learning that making a difference can start with a simple idea and, sometimes, it can end with a principal getting soaked by a bucket of ice water.

The Chapel School’s student service program, SL2: Student Leader, Service Learning, gives middle school students the opportunity to turn their passions into action. Through this program, selected students develop and implement service projects designed to raise both funds and awareness for charitable organizations of their choice. This past May, students prepared and practiced presentations about their proposed service projects before presenting them to a panel of faculty and administration. Following the presentations, four projects were selected to be carried out during the 2026–2027 school year.

The first SL2 project of the school year was led by eighth grader Luciana Miranda whose project focused on supporting the ALS Association. Through her project, Luciana introduced members of the school community to ALS, helping students and families better understand the disease while encouraging them to take action in support of those affected by it.  

Luciana organized several fundraising initiatives throughout the school community and ultimately raised more than $800 for the ALS Association, surpassing her original fundraising goal. Her goal came with a special promise, so there was one final—and decidedly chilly—step.

The Chapel School Principal, Mr. Michael Schultz, took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in front of the entire school. With students cheering him on, Mr. Schultz bravely took his place and received a very cold reminder of what happens when students set ambitious goals and achieve them! 

While the Ice Bucket Challenge brought plenty of excitement to the school, the heart of the project was much bigger than a bucket of ice. Luciana’s work gave her peers an opportunity to learn about ALS, think about the needs of others, and discover that even young people can make a meaningful impact in their community and beyond.

“SL2 is about giving our students the opportunity to take an idea and turn it into action,” said Mr. Schultz. “Luciana demonstrated great leadership and compassion throughout her project. We are incredibly proud of what she accomplished and amazed at the generosity of our school community who supported her efforts.” 

The Chapel School looks forward to celebrating the remaining SL2 student leaders and the causes they have chosen to champion throughout the 2026–2027 school year.

About SL2: Student Leader, Service Learning 
SL2 (Student Leader, Service Learning) is The Chapel School’s student-led service initiative, providing selected students with the opportunity to develop service projects that raise awareness and funds for charitable organizations that are meaningful to them. Through SL2, students develop leadership, communication, organizational, and service skills while learning the importance of using their voices and talents to make a difference.