Extreme Makeover: School Edition (EMSE)

 Extreme Makeover: School Edition is a non-profit organization that aims to renovate and provide resources for underfunded and neglected public schools all over America. At EMSE, we understand that students thrive the best in safe and comfortable settings, and we hope to help youths reach their full potentials by improving their learning environments.

I have had the privilege to attend private schools for all of my education. As a result, I had access to nearly any academic resources I wanted and had a plethora of opportunities – allowing me to be in the position I am today, a student at University of Southern California. However, as someone who has volunteered in overcrowded and underfunded schools, I have realized how dangerous and disheartening the learning atmosphere is and that this can be easily changed by a quick renovation.

This is where EMSE comes in. There is not a single foundation in America that focuses on renovating schools. Through renovations, schools that are in poor conditions will be safer for students to learn it, will create a more positive and motivating environment, and will encourage good teachers to stay. More so, by providing new and additional resources such as a better gym, computer labs, or a new library full of books, it can open thousands of doors for students and inspire students to achieve things they never thought was possible.

EMSE has a selection committee that will prioritize what school is in the most critical condition. Our team of highly trained construction workers and board members will then work the school and meet the students to determine what their needs are and what will benefit them the most. While EMSE is composed of a small but efficient team, we strongly believe in our mission, and we believe that even by renovating one school at a time, we can change the lives of many generations of students.