The CAN DO Student Action Committee has had a busy year executing its annual signature events. During this time, Sarah Polashenski, a senior from Immanuel Christian School in Hazleton, has lead the students as the committee’s first Student Chair.

While members of the CAN DO Student Action Committee have long been involved in the organization's initiatives, the students expressed an increased desire to play a more substantial role within the organization. At the start of the 2023-24 fiscal year, CAN DO created the new ‘Student Chair’ position in response to their enthusiasm with Polashenski’s official appointment following soon after.

During Polashenski’s tenure, she established a precedent of the Student Chair working closely with CAN DO staff to coordinate committee efforts and serve as the primary point of contact for other student members. In addition, Polashenski collaborated closely with the event co-chairs to ensure that the committee is well-informed and engaged in the planning and execution of CAN DO's signature events, including Operation CAN DO in October and the Tree Lighting and Community Christmas in December. To fill this position in the future, outgoing seniors will elect a rising senior to serve as the committee’s Student Chair for the following year.

After nearly 6 months in the position, Polashenski reflected on her tenure thus far: "It has been a great honor to be chosen as the first-ever Student Chair of the CAN DO Student Action Committee! While in this leadership role, I have been able to become more involved with the other students on the committee, better utilize and improve my public speaking skills, and assist in planning the organization's events for our city. In the future, I believe this position will prepare me for directing, organizing, and working closely with business leaders in our community. In the meantime, however, I hope I’ve set a positive example for the upcoming student chair to follow when I graduate later this year."

CAN DO formed the Student Action Committee many years ago to encourage involvement in community advancement and engage with individuals who may one day become future leaders in our area. The committee comprises of juniors and seniors from high schools across Greater Hazleton appointed as members of the CAN DO Board of Directors in a non-voting capacity. They play a pivotal role in planning and executing community service projects and actively participating in board meetings under the guidance of Student Action Committee advisors, Cal Herring and Ana Perez.

To learn more about CAN DO’s Student Action Committee, contact Ana Perez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..