Brag Book: Stella Jewell

Stella Jewell, 3rd grader, Detroit (Copyright 2022 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.)

DETROIT – I’m giving a Brag Book Award to a young student on a mission, who believes all schools should have a playground and she’s hoping you can help it become a reality.

Stella Jewell is an 8-year-old rising 3rd grader at the James and Grace Lee Boggs School on Detroit’s East Side where she served as the original reporter and editor for the class newsletter.

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During the school year, Stella also creates handmade paper books about animals, plants and more and gives them to her classmates. Her second grade teacher Mr. Sharpe says Stella excels in every subject and is one of the most inclusive, friendly and engaging students he’s known, always advocating for others and a staunch believer in fairness and justice.

Yes, just 8 years old and leads activism for her class, school and community.

Now this aspiring author is taking her love for writing and using it to help her school get a new universally accessible school playground and community park.

Through the Patronicity fundraising campaign, Stella’s school needs to raise $75,000 to get a new state of the art playground. They have 5 days until the July 17 deadline to raise the remaining $9,000.

To help get donations, Stella wrote a book called “Parks Are For Everyone” and she created this Facebook message to spread the word.

Stella is giving printed copies of her book as a way to say thank you to everyone who donates at least $50. Donations to Boggs park on Detroit’s East Side can be made here.

If the Boggs school reaches the $75,000 goal by the July 17 deadline (which is fast approaching on Monday), the funds will be matched by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Public Spaces Community Places program and the playground will be complete before the start of school in August. Let’s help them get it!

  • To nominate a teacher for Brag Book, go here.
  • To nominate a student for Brag Book, go here.
  • For more Brag Book segments, go here.

About the Author

Rhonda Walker has been helping Detroiters get motivated and ready for the day for the past 22 years. A confessed morning person, this award winning talented and versatile journalist starts her day at 2:00 am to co-anchor the weekday morning newscast at WDIV-Local 4 News. A position she’s held since 2003.

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