Volunteer work values the community

Students who want to give their time and talents to the community through volunteering can find plenty of opportunities at the high school.  

Student Council Advisor Ms. Kathleen Bower said students that volunteer are given a chance to help the community. Members of Student Council have helped volunteer at the food drives for the library, STEAM programs, a Valentine’s Day card exchange with nursing home residents and other activities at the elementary school, she said.   

“(Volunteering) makes people humble and empathetic to certain situations they may never experience,” added Ms. Bower. It also helps give students communication skills and leadership skills, she said.  

“They become more kind and can pass empathy along to others,” she added.  

According to Ms. Bower, volunteering gives students the opportunity to work in career fields they may be interested in.  

“It gives young students a chance to experience how to work together in a community setting,” said Ms. Bower. She added volunteering can change a student if they are honestly putting in the time and doing it for the right reasons.  

Volunteering lets students take control of their communities and work together for a good cause, she explained.  

 “I think volunteering is a great opportunity and everyone should be involved when they can,” said Senior Brooklyn Wade, who volunteered at the elementary school and with Red Cross.  

Ms. Angela Davis, advisor of National Honor Society, said she helps organize community service hours for students involved in the program.  

According to Ms. Davis, students get their hours of volunteer work by helping the elementary school teachers, the Salvation Army, Milton TIME, Booster Club and other opportunities that students arrange on their own. 

  As far as going to help out and gain volunteer hours at the elementary school, it has to be a high school student, she added. If an adult wants to volunteer at the school, they have to submit updated clearances according to district policy, explained Ms. Davis. 

 Each NHS senior is required 20 volunteer hours per year, while juniors are only required 15, she added. The volunteer opportunities vary over the span of the year, said Ms. Davis.  

If a student is looking for places to get their volunteer work hours completed, there is a board outside of Room 128 with opportunities, said Ms. Davis. There are specific dates when volunteer opportunities are available, she added.