What happened: Midland ISD students from Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA), Legacy High School, and Midland High School recently competed in the Dallas Cowboys Community Captain program by leading service projects across Midland. YWLA took first place for their project that transformed spaces at the Basin Dream Center, while Legacy placed as runner-up.

Why it matters: These student-led projects show how Midland teens are stepping up to strengthen our community, supported by funding and guidance from the Abell-Hanger Foundation and Chevron. They turn classroom learning into real help for local organizations, giving kids meaningful ways to serve others and develop leadership skills that benefit everyone in the Permian Basin.

The big picture: The Dallas Cowboys Community Captain initiative is a regional competition open to high school students across the Permian Basin. Through Midland ISD’s long-running Students in Philanthropy program, students identify community needs, design service projects, and carry them out. This year, 11 teams competed.

YWLA’s winning project with the Basin Dream Center, a transitional living home for young adults who are homeless or at risk, created more comfortable, functional spaces for studying, mentoring, and relaxing. Legacy’s runner-up project upgraded the Boys and Girls Club’s media room.

What they’re saying: Leaders at the Basin Dream Center say the new spaces will help youth grow, heal, and succeed for years to come.

“I could not be more proud of our students,” YWLA Principal Laura Doughty said. “They poured their hearts into this project, and seeing them step up to serve our community is amazing. Their impact on the Basin Dream Center will be felt for years to come.”

“I am proud to offer Students in Philanthropy at three of our five high schools,” MISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Howard said. “Through the Students in Philanthropy program, our students are learning what it means to lead by serving others. In Midland ISD, we know that learning extends beyond the core curriculum and the classroom.”

What’s next: Families interested in the Students in Philanthropy program can contact their high school counselor for more information.