Move over Ty Pennington. You're about to get some competition from students at Steel Valley High School who are planning their own Mon Valley version of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
About 100 students -- members of The Future Is Mine and the Environmental Club and some of the high school's vo-tech students -- plan to spend May 1 and possibly May 2 making outside improvements to 15 homes within the school district's boundaries.
The work will include such activities as cutting grass, planting flowers and grass, mulching, pulling weeds, painting and building ramps.
The event is part of Pittsburgh Cares Hands on Pittsburgh project, which will involve more than 2,000 youth and adult volunteers working throughout the region on volunteer projects.
But instead of being assigned to one of the more than 100 service projects sponsored by Pittsburgh Cares, the Steel Valley students decided to create their own project that benefits residents of the district, said Ryan Dunmire, a business education teacher at Steel Valley High School who is the sponsor of The Future is Mine.
Ms. Dunmire is being assisted in the effort by Shawn McCallister, the district's athletic/activities director, and Anthony Natale, high school environmental club sponsor. Other adult volunteers from the community will assist so that the students have adult supervision at each site.
There will also be a smattering of vo-tech students at each site to supervise the more complicated projects that include building or carpentry work.
This is the largest public service project ever undertaken by Steel Valley High School students.
"Every year the kids have done small service projects, but nothing of this scope has ever been done before," Ms. Dunmire said.
Those working on the project are now dropping off applications for homeowners who want to be considered. The forms are available at the high school office, local churches, bingo halls and other areas where people congregate, and online at the district's Web site, www.svsd.k12.pa.us.
In order to qualify, applicants must own their own home and live in one of the three communities that make up the district, Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall. Five homeowners from each of the communities will be chosen.
The applicants must document that their household income was at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines for the past 12 months, and they must write a 1,500-word essay describing the work they would like to have done.
Priority will be given to applicants who are ill or disabled or over the age of 60.
Applications are due by March 20, and all applicants will receive a letter confirming that their application has been received. In some cases, project representatives may be required to visit the homes to make sure the requested work can be performed by students.
The winning applicants will be chosen by a committee that will include Ms. Dunmire, Mr. McCallister, Mr. Natale and the mayors of Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall.
Those who are chosen for the project will receive a surprise videotaped visit to their doors just as in the television show. Photos and video also will be taken before, during and after the projects are completed.
In addition to soliciting homeowners for the project, students are also hoping local home improvement and landscaping experts will help out and that local merchants will donate materials.
Anyone who would like to donate material or services can contact Ms. Dunmire at the high school office at 412-464-3600.
