GALLIPOLIS — Gallia Academy High School students proved Wednesday what young people can do with backing from community leaders.

Through the 21st Century School and Community Partnership pilot project funded by a grant, three groups of GAHS students identified a problem in their school or community and worked on a solution. The groups worked closely with community partners ranging from local businesses to elected officials to develop a detailed plan which was presented to judges on Wednesday.

On behalf of the Ohio University Voinovich Center, Bob Gordon said the mission of the program was to “bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world.”

And Gallia County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lorie Neal commended the area businesses on their participation.

“They have served as a valuable resource for the students,” said Neal. “This has been a wonderful project.”

First up was Team Blue, consisting of Ben Robinson, Austin Wilson, Matt Watts and David Saunders.

Team Blue’s presentation revolved around the Main Street Cafe, that would offer outdoor/indoor dining, activities for all ages, an indoor dance floor and D.J., indoor games and possible access from the Ohio River. The diner would offer a wide variety of food items from hotdogs and hamburgers to steak.

Team Blue researched the start-up costs for the business, possible locations and the number of customers it would need to serve in order to turn a profit.

Second to present was Team White, consisting of Cody Greer, Pearce Michael, Brittni Steele and Kaleb Patten.

Team White presented a solution to issues currently faced by GAHS marching band members and athletes. Team White proposed building a shelter house along with the construction of the stadium for use by the marching band and athletes.

The team proposed to use the bottom half of the two-story structure for shelter, bathrooms, water and possibly storage. The top half would be accessible for directors and coaches to be able to view the field and their students. Lights and speakers would be included.

The third team, Team Gold, consisted of Jenna Rice, David E. Leaphart III and Cayla Bush and proposed a YMCA inspired entertainment center that would offer art and performing arts classes and other entertainment.

At first the team started out with the idea of purchasing a location, but in the end, due to projected funding the team went with the idea, based on a recommendation by a community partner, of renting space in the Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Center. In addition, the group said once a building is purchased, the organization would give 10 percent of their profits to charity.

The students’ presentations were judged based on a variety of criteria, including clear vision of the product, organization, their powerpoint presentation, communication and cohesiveness.

In the end, Team Blue won first place, Team Gold placed second and Team White placed third. Each team was awarded a portion of the $2,500 in grant for their hard work and success.

The teams were made up of juniors and seniors and the 21st Century School and Community Partnership project was designed to allow the students the opportunity, with the help of local business, industry and government leaders, to develop real world solutions that have the possibility of benefiting the entire community.

The GAHS 21st Century School & Community Partnership Project came about as the result of planning by a team from Gallipolis who met each month from September, 2008 through March, 2009. The planning team of Lorie Neal, Bob Hood, Bob Gordon, Teresa Varian, Robin Harris, Ray McKinniss and Jim Craft were part of the School-Community Partnership program of The Ohio Appalachian Educators Institute supported by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, Ohio University Southern, the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.