The NFA student Future Leadership Team is a group of 9th-12th grade students that come together weekly to help raise student voice, community action, and civic readiness. This team of students thrive to become future leaders in their school and local community. During the school year the team noticed that the NFA Campus courtyards were not being used to their potential. One of the court-yards in particular was not maintained and had become unusable by students and faculty. The courtyard had become overgrown and dirty. The idea was to not only clean up the courtyard in the school, but to make it a usable space for students who wanted to go outside on their free periods and relax and escape the stress of the school building. They brought together multiple teachers, administrators, and community partners to create a plan to clean the courtyard and then furnish it. Students would use this area as a space to read, relax, and get some sunshine on their face before their next class. They even named the project the Eyrie Commons. Eyrie stands for the highest point of an eagles nest which is the Newburgh symbol and mascot.
This court yard will be maintained by the Future Leader Team, NFA buildings and grounds, custodians, and staff.. The courtyard will become a symbol of the positive change students can have on their school community when given the opportunity.