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Horton wanted his students to have the same hands-on learning experience they would receive at MTC. Every student is involved in a club of their choosing. Lincoln has brought back Home Economics, Life Skills and Shop classes that teach students how to be self-sufficient after graduation. Many SPEF grants help fund these clubs, along with Simmons Bank grants and Eagle Scout projects.
These clubs are teaching students a trade and skills they are already putting to use. A member of Bike Club has already been hired at Cooper’ s Bicycle Shop due to the expansive knowledge he gained at Lincoln and Bike Club’ s partnership with Highland Park Elementary School. OSHA and Forklift training has gotten another student a foot in the door with Kingspan. Students are planting and growing their own food with Garden Club and recently received
a grant for a new greenhouse. Cooking Club has a full kitchen and offers an air fryer class where each student gets to take home an air fryer upon completion. Creating beautiful art that decorates their Grady Lambert Memorial Library was important for Art Club. Longtime Stillwater resident and musician( and personal friend) Walter Kelly instructs Guitar Club, so I know his students are getting a top-notch music education.
Aside from clubs, the students are also involved in philanthropy projects as well. The Dogs of Lincoln program is a joint effort of The Stillwater Humane Society, OSU’ s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences students and Lincoln Academy. The program partners with students where they train shelter dogs in basic commands and socialization. The goal of this program is to provide students with an opportunity to teach the dogs, but to also help dogs adjust to human interaction so they become more adoptable. It also teaches students responsibility and caretaking of another being. I always love seeing the students and dogs interacting when I drive by.
Several resource pantries are also available for the students of Lincoln Academy. Lincoln partners with Pioneer Pantry, which is a collaborative effort across all school sites to connect students with basic necessities, hygiene items and clothing. Our Daily Bread established a food pantry at Lincoln as well, providing packaged food and snacks for those who may need them. Any student who needs to use the pantries may do so with no questions asked. Pioneer Pantry relies one hundred percent on donations from the community, as there is no budget in school funding for this.
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