Staples High School students, from left, Miriam Hurley, Camille Kolek and Adelia Purcell, submitted the winning project — “Make Me Free” — in the state Voice4Change initiative. / Contributed photo

WESTPORT — A proposal to make period products available at no cost in girls’ restrooms at Staples High School is the local winner in the statewide “Voice4Change” program.

The program, launched at Staples last December, challenged high school students across the state to submit ideas for changes they would like to make at their schools.

Winning proposals are allocated $20,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act, a pool of federal pandemic-relief money.

“Make Me Free,” the proposal selected in a vote by Staples students, was submitted by Camille Kolek, Miriam Hurley and Adelia Purcell.

Announcing the Voice4Change program last December at Staples High School, Gov. Ned Lamont encouraged students to get engaged in their schools and communities through the new initiative. Looking on was state Sen. Will Haskell, a Staples graduate. / File photo

Their proposal to make free menstrual products available for female students was one of six Staples candidates considered for the Voice4Change award.

A YouTube video announcing the Voice4Change winners has been posted by the state Department of Education.

The department presented a total of 59 Voice4Change awards — 54 of the honorees, like Staples, were chosen by a student vote at each of the high schools, with an additional five “Commissioner’s Choice” awards. More than 200 ideas were submitted, and 150 were deemed eligible by officials for funding consideration.

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