The Panther Project is a school-wide community service project created by the Student Council Association in an effort to increase and build character among the student body. Each grade will create a project that will be judged by a group of anonymous panelists at the end of the year; however, for the senior class, one project just isn’t enough. The class of 2014 will be completing three service projects in order to reach their local, country-wide, and international communities.

 Originally, the senior class was planning on decorating war tombstones with wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery on Oct. 16. However, there were snow days preceding the scheduled date and because of expectation of inclement weather and a lack of communication during the snow days, the seniors had to cancel.

 “The trip was on a Saturday and they were expecting even more snow, so we just didn’t want students to get hurt,” said senior class President Brandi Wagenhoffer. “Our senior theme is giving back to and supporting our community and we felt that this was a good way to,” said senior Vice President Victoria Callahan of their new three-part idea.

 The first of the seniors’ Panther Project will be a messy job. Last year, there was vandalization that occurred on campus. This year, the Class of 2014 will be painting over and decorating the vandalized shed in the courtyard by utilizing the talent several artistic seniors. “We don’t have a date yet,” said Callahan, “But we just want to leave a positive image of our class behind.”

 The senior class’ next project hits closer to home. “On March 20 we’re taking profits from the Senior Spaghetti Dinner, Mr. PFHS, and the Haunted Forest to buy canned goods from Costco,” said Wagenhoffer. The seniors have a budget of $1200, and also plan to package the food at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Sterling to distribute in backpacks through a local program, Backpack Buddies. “Several Potomac Falls students are a part of [Backpack Buddies],” said  Teacher Assistant and Senior Class Sponsor Mrs. Michele Dillistin, “It’s a fantastic program.”

  “Our biggest project is Mr. PFHS,” said Callahan, “each candidate is represented by a toiletry item. On the night of Mr. PFHS, students can bring in each item representing the candidate they would like the vote for and whoever gets the most wins.” It doesn’t stop there; the seniors will then take the toiletries to St. Matthews Episcopal Church to package the goods and distribute to the homeless on missionary trips. “We typically package 600 to 700 bags, which is pretty awesome,” said Dillistin. Mr. PFHS will take place on April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Potomac Falls auditorium; it costs $5 to attend and all parents, teachers, and students are welcome. Seniors are granted admission for free.