"The Smith family’s tour was broadcast on the two available Soviet channels, and the Soviets were glued to the TV screens following the girl’s every move.
For many in the Soviet Union Samantha and her family put a human face on the U.S.
Sadly, Samantha died in a plane crash just two years later. But Maine middle school student are helping keep her spirit alive by participating in the Samantha Smith Challenge, which helps them experience making a
difference in their community.
They brainstorm a list of concerns they see in their school and community, choose one to research, interview community leaders and try to come up with ways to help resolve it.
Students have worked on projects like reducing their carbon footprint, homelessness and hunger. One group studied plastic bag pollution in the
Gulf of Maine, organizing a beach clean-up to raise awareness.
