High School Students Lead the Way in Local Philanthropy

Building a Lifetime of Service

High School Students Lead the Way in Local Philanthropy

March 5, 2026 — A dedicated group of Midland ISD juniors and seniors are spending their school hours transforming their community. Through the MISD Students in Philanthropy (SIP) program, these young leaders are proving that you are never too young to make an impact. SIP is a unique educational program available at high schools and colleges across the Permian Basin, including Legacy High, Midland High, and Young Women’s Leadership Academy. “The purpose of SIP is to lead students into the world empowered and prepared to meet the needs of their community,” says Stacy Payne, LHS SIP Coordinator. “We aren't just volunteering; we are inspiring a lifetime of service through time, talent, and treasure.”

For MISD students, SIP is a rigorous, credit-bearing course developed in partnership with the Abell-Hanger Foundation. Admission into the program is prestigious, requiring a detailed application process, teacher recommendations, stellar attendance, and a formal interview.

The students function as a mini-foundation. Throughout the year, they review grant applications from local nonprofits, conduct site visits, and perform service projects to see the organizations' work firsthand. After selecting their beneficiaries, they hold a single, massive fundraiser to back their mission. The culmination of their hard work happens every May during “Prize Patrol Day,” where students travel across the city to hand-deliver grant checks to deserving nonprofits.

The LHS SIP chapter has already seen massive success this year, most notably winning a $10,000 grant during the “Dallas Cowboys Community Captains Huddle Day of Service,” hosted by Chevron. The students used the prize to fully renovate the media room at the Taylor Park Boys and Girls Club, creating a modern space for local youth.

Closer to home, the students also focus on the “heart” of their own campus and community. Every Tuesday, LHS SIP students provide academic and social mentoring to elementary students at Greathouse Elementary. They also launched a "clothespin game,” where encouraging messages are "stealthily" clipped onto peers' clothing to foster a culture of kindness and fun shenanigans in the hallways.

SIP has two “Days of Service” each year - one in the fall and one in the spring.  ALL SIP members gather for an information session together before spending the day working at various nonprofit locations with members from other schools. The students learn so much with the hands-on work they do on these days, plus each hour of volunteer work is estimated to save the nonprofit organizations around $35.

By teaching students the role of nonprofits and the importance of giving back, SIP ensures the next generation of West Texans is ready to lead with heart.

###

Media Contact:

Shadée Johnson

Communications Specialist

communications@midlandisd.net

All students will graduate college, career, or military ready.