Project Ego
Project Ego stands for Exploring Growth Opportunities.
Project Ego is an enrichment program designed to benefit primarily 12th grade students in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. It began more than 30 years ago and was initially sponsored by the Community Association of the Peninsula (CAP). When CAP dissolved, the Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Sunset took over sponsorship of the program and continues to do so in cooperation with the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.
Potential entrants to the program are chosen by counselors from the various district high schools.
The purpose of Project Ego is to help students explore personal growth opportunities and educational goals and to develop skills that will help them to be successful in their chosen careers.
Students meet monthly during the school year and also meet in small groups to work with counselors on individual growth. Attendance is required in order to receive the 10 high school credits associated with the program.
Topics include health, careers, finance, and resume development. Additionally, students prepare a grant application package and participate in an interview as part of the grant application process. There is also a daylong team building event at UC Irvine.
Financial support for Project Ego is provided by the Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation. Since the program's inception, more than 600 students have participated and more than 250 have received educational grants totaling more than $250,000.
Palos Verdes Sunset Rotarians sit on the Project Ego board, provide speakers, interview students for the grants, determine grant recipients and amounts, and host the students, their families, and school district VIPs at a year-end banquet.