Project Citizen Has Strong Muskego Ties

Imagine this: whole classes of middle and high school students wanting to do extra work than is necessary. Tough to imagine in most cases under normal circumstances, but for students who participate in Project Citizen, the extra work is well worth it.

Project Citizen is an organization with a global presence. In a nutshell, middle school students (including 5th grade), present a portfolio-based social studies project to a panel of judges.   A local, statewide, or national problem is identified and explained. The classes then attempt to offer a solution to their respective problems, which may or may not include the involvement of government and various law enforcement agencies. Each class chooses its own issue to tackle.

High schools can participate in presenting their portfolio projects, but they are exhibiting, as opposed to competing.

Here in Wisconsin, Project Citizen has a strong Muskego connection. Its state coordinator, Jack Jarmes, is a Muskego resident and each year for the past few years, a number of his fellow Kiwanians in the Muskego Kiwanis Club have volunteered to serve as judges during these state showcases, which are held each May in Madison. Jarmes’ wife, Janet, is also a district coordinator. Here in the United States, there is one district coordinator per congressional district.

Regular attendees from the Muskego Kiwanis Club the last few years include Attorney Michael Pierski of Muskego Legal Center, and Marge and Ray Ingold of InGold Marketing. Additionally, a daughter of the Ingolds, Maureen, and her daughter, Claudette, have attended, as well.

The showcase and judging of the portfolios usually occurs at the state capitol each year, but due to safety concerns and security procedures in the wake of the political protesting going on at the capitol, this year’s event on May 14th was held at the nearby Pyle Center.

The winning portfolio at the state level goes on to compete at a national showcase.

Jack, who taught various high school-level social studies courses for 34 years with a focus in history and American government before retiring in 1995, has been Wisconsin’s state coordinator for Project Citizen since 1997.

In a recent interview with Muskego Patch, Jack said that when he first took on the role, only one middle school in the state was participating. Now, there are 21 middle schools and six high schools, but high schools weren’t allowed to participate until 2006.

A statewide workshop is offered every October for new schools interested in learning about Project Citizen. Additionally, Jack noted that representatives from Project Citizen attend an array of conventions throughout the year to help get the word out about the program. 

“This is a perfect thing for a retired government or history teacher,” said Jack, who sees this as a tremendous opportunity to stay active and continue to have a positive impact on the lives of students.

“Yeah, and it keeps us from being couch potatoes,” Janet jokingly chimed in.