38 Acres — Prodigy Leadership Academy students produce new magazine

Cape Girardeau County's Prodigy Leadership Academy, founded in 2009 with a current enrollment of 151 students in kindergarten through grade 12, has launched a student-run magazine.

Called 38 Acres, the immediate meaning of the title refers to the size of Prodigy's current campus in Cape Girardeau, to which the school moved in 2019.

"What looks like the numeral '8' in the title is actually an infinity sign referring to the infinite possibilities of learning," said high school teacher Jayme Reese, who facilitates the magazine staff along with her collaborative teacher Blake Brown.

The first issue of the magazine came out Jan. 6, and a second edition will be available beginning next week.

Themes

• January: People, Places, Things.
• February: Entrepreneurship.
• March: Health & Wellness.
• April: Culinary Exploration.
• May: Kids & Families.

"Over fall break [in 2022] we conceived the idea and shared it with the kids," said Reese, adding that a writing workshop led to a kids' brainstorming session, which resulted in the notion of a magazine, which now comes off the production line monthly at Sikeston's FTI Printing.

"The real world problem we wanted to solve is, How do we showcase for our parents what it is we're doing here (at Prodigy)?"

Reese said students in grades nine through 12 had to interview with professionals from outside campus to take roles in editing, writing, layout and design, advertising and social media for the publication.

"Mrs. Reese and her class nailed it with this project. The students are out in the community, networking, interviewing and learning interesting things about fascinating people," said Prodigy director Russell Grammer, who co-founded the school with his wife, Amy.

Prodigy Leadership Academy senior Jalee Panice holds a copy of the debut edition of the school magazine, 38 Acres. The publication will come out monthly through the end of the 2022-2023 school year in May.Submitted

Prodigy Leadership Academy senior Jalee Panice holds a copy of the debut edition of the school magazine, 38 Acres. The publication will come out monthly through the end of the 2022-2023 school year in May.Submitted

Drilling down

Prodigy, which describes itself as an independent Christian school, is making the magazine available for sponsorships and subscriptions.

Those so inclined to subscribe are invited to visit Prodigy's Facebook page — www.facebook.com/ProdigyLeadershipAcademy — where they can access a Venmo code found on Prodigy's Jan. 8 post.

By check, payment may be made out to Prodigy and mailed to 232 Sierra Ridge Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Prices

• One month: $8 for a single PDF copy or $10 to be sent via U.S. mail.
• Five monthly issues (January to May): $32 for PDF or $42 mailed.

"I thought the first edition looked and felt professional. This is the dream — active, engaged learning with true impact and education resembling real life involving beneficial skills needed for a career," concluded Grammer in a text to the Southeast Missourian.

More information on Prodigy Leadership Academy is available at www.goprodigy.org.