At Legacy, Capstone Projects are designed to help students look beyond themselves, identify a need, and take meaningful action.
This year, students served people across their neighborhoods, churches, schools, and local communities in ways that were both practical and personal. Some organized outreach projects or led devotionals. Others spent time encouraging seniors, helping neighbors, mentoring younger students, or supporting families facing difficult circumstances.
No two projects looked exactly alike, but together they painted a picture of students using their gifts, interests, and faith to care for others.
PRESERVING A PIECE OF LEGACY HISTORY
For junior Jenni Bjorn, her Capstone Project became an opportunity to preserve an important part of Legacy’s story.
As the theater community prepared for its final performances on Legacy’s longtime stage this spring, Jenni created stage mementos to help students, alumni, and theater families remember the place that had meant so much to so many people over the years.
The project carried special meaning for students involved in theater, especially during a season of transition and anticipation for what’s ahead. Rather than letting the moment quietly pass, Jenni found a way to honor the memories, friendships, and experiences connected to the stage.
It was a simple idea, but one that resonated deeply with the theater community and served as a reminder that places can hold lasting meaning because of the people and moments connected to them.
SERVING PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ACROSS MINNEAPOLIS
Junior Preston Simon took a hands-on approach to serving others through his Capstone Project.
After assembling care bags filled with snacks, water, hygiene supplies, and encouraging Bible verses, Preston traveled throughout Minneapolis on his e-bike to hand them out to people experiencing homelessness.
Throughout the day, he stopped to listen to people’s stories, offer encouragement, and have conversations with individuals he met along the way. One man shared stories from his music career. Another simply expressed gratitude for the bag and conversation.
By the end of the day, Preston had even partnered with a local police officer to help distribute the remaining supplies to additional people in need.
The project reminded Preston that even small acts of kindness can make a meaningful impact and that taking time to truly see and care for people matters.
HELPING FAMILIES CELEBRATE LIFE’S SPECIAL MOMENTS
Senior Lauren Buchman focused her Capstone Project on bringing encouragement and celebration to families experiencing food insecurity.
Partnering with NACE food shelf, Lauren created 10 birthday cake kits filled with cake mix, frosting, candles, a cake pan, handmade watercolor cards, and invitations to church. Her goal was simple: to help families celebrate birthdays in a meaningful way, even during financially difficult seasons.
Lauren recognized that something many people see as ordinary, like a birthday cake, can become out of reach for families struggling to meet basic needs. Through her project, she hoped to remind recipients that they are valued, cared for, and worthy of celebration.
The thoughtful details and handmade elements made each kit feel personal and intentional, turning a simple act of service into something deeply encouraging for the families who received them.
A YEAR OF SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, AND COMMUNITY IMPACT
These featured projects were only a small glimpse into the work students completed throughout the year.
Many students spent time serving seniors through visits, meals, flowers, handmade cards, and devotionals. Others partnered with hospitals, food shelves, churches, and community organizations to provide groceries, blankets, meals, care packages, and encouragement to people navigating difficult seasons of life.
Athletics and hobbies also became opportunities for ministry and mentorship. Students hosted golf, baseball, volleyball, fitness, and archery clinics that combined skill development with encouragement, faith conversations, and devotionals. Others organized Bible studies, outreach events, prayer opportunities, and acts of service within their neighborhoods and communities.
Several students focused on helping neighbors in practical ways through yardwork, snow shoveling, grocery assistance, and home projects.
Together, the projects reflected students learning what it means to serve others with compassion, initiative, and faithfulness. More importantly, they showed that meaningful impact often starts with simply noticing a need and being willing to step in and help.
STUDENTS FEATURED
David Akehurst, Lauren Barnes, Addyson Bates, Anton Belous, Samuel Biszko, Jennifer Bjorn, Gavin Borchardt, Lauren Buchman, Brody DeMars, Zane Furmanek, Miles Greer, Ava Heilman, Ana Hernandez, Samuel Horrisberger, McKenna Hull, Jack Ingvaldsen, Torah Jones, Annika Kjelland, Elyse Klauser, Anders Lehn, Taran MacLeod, Garrett Malik, David Matrosov, Savannah Mehan, Matthew Mulvihill, Alexia Murphy, Stella Nelson, Jeffrey O’Connell, Micah Paine, Sydney Pierskalla, Carter Price, Dean Raatz, Addison Rasmussen, Kobe Reed, Preston Simon, Brooklyn Smith, Isaac Socolofsky, Bella Stueber, Cora Tinault, Blake Turnquist, David Van Gorp, Ryan Wald, Teegan Welna, Victoria Welch, Brock Witt, Christian Zanter, Emma Zuniga.
