Democracy Project
of Transylvania, Inc.

A small group of Transylvania County citizens came together in 2016 with the goal of searching within our own communities in Transylvania County for a shared sense of purpose as American citizens. We wanted to explore ways of engaging people of all ages and political views to learn more about how our governments work at the local, state, and national level.

In the fall of 2017, the Democracy Project of Transylvania, Inc. (DPT) began a pilot project in the Transylvania County Schools. The project created opportunities for members of our local community to tell their stories to middle school students with an emphasis on how those stories (inspired by the theme for 2017-18: “Where I'm From”) influenced their civic life within our community. The students then created “Where I'm From” projects to explore how their own experiences impact relationships within family, school, church, and their larger community.

Each year, DPT chooses a citizenship theme, inviting students to explore ways they can make their voices heard, listen, and serve as members of their community and as Americans. The constitution provides the basis for interactions with the theme and the speakers’ stories offer specific ways for students to consider it.

Since that time, DPT has impacted the lives of hundreds of middle school students at Brevard Middle, Rosman Middle, Mountain Sun, Brevard Academy, and most recently, our Online Learning Path (OLP) students. DPT creates a way for students to explore who they are as individuals and citizens, to hear the speakers’ stories, and to have ongoing conversations about shared visions for our community and country. The project will encourage members of our community of all ages to create more opportunities to listen to each other and to renew our love for our democracy.

Each May, we plan an evening of Celebrating Democracy for our students, families, and local leaders. The student projects are displayed and a few chosen for live performances. Awards are given to stand-out projects in each participating school and one grand prize for an overall winner. Each school receives a monetary prize to be used by the teacher team toward civic education. The Celebrating Democracy event features international food prepared by Sarj Singh of Brevard College and a DPT cake donated by Blue Ridge Bakery.

The goal of the Democracy Project of Transylvania, Inc. is to enhance a sense of civic connection and agency among young people as well as a multi-generational connection between our students and the broader community. They are our future and the future of life together in our democracy. As it grows year after year and increases civic awareness and energy among the upcoming generations, this project has the potential to make a lasting impact on the life of our community.

images above courtesy of previous Democracy Project Students