WCHS Students 'BLITZ' Warsaw
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Tuesday was an in-service day for teachers, so students were dismissed early from school. However, each year the student council sponsors a half day of volunteerism in the community during the spring in-service day called "Bringing Light Into The Tiger Zone."[[In-content Ad]]Students participating in the 10th annual event Tuesday found themselves cleaning the yards at the YMCA, Our Father's House and Combined Community Services, or playing Bingo with residents at Warsaw Meadows. Three of the students helping out at the Warsaw Community Public Library stacked and organized books. Other organizations welcoming students' efforts included the Courts of Colfax, the fairgrounds, Winona Lake and Warsaw parks, Heartline, Mason Healthcare, Miller's Merry Manor, Lincoln Elementary, Sacred Heart School, Lakeview Middle School, Jefferson Elementary, WCHS and Eisenhower Elementary.
"It's just trying to help give back to the community," said Kyle Tucker, who volunteered at CCS with Warsaw basketball coach Doug T. Ogle and other members of the basketball team.
Tucker said the team also volunteered at CCS during the 2006 BLITZ and stacked shelves of food. During the 2006 BLITZ, it rained all day so volunteer students had to work indoors. "Last year was fun," said Tucker.
Since the weather Tuesday was sunny and warm, this year they cleaned up the trash around the CCS property. They also cleaned out a shed.
The two WCHS students helping residents of Warsaw Meadows were participating in BLITZ for the first time. Both junior Maria Brito and senior Rudy Nuno talked with residents and helped them with a game of Bingo.
"It's really nice," said Nuno of BLITZ. "It's something really great to do for the community. It's really fun, too."
"It's fun, exciting," said Brito. When asked why she volunteered, she said, "I just wanted to see how everything was."
Warsaw Meadows Activities Director Joan Smith said she appreciated the students' efforts.
"It's a great opportunity," Smith said. "I think it gives them an opportunity to follow up on later. I enjoy them helping out, and it's great to have visitors."
The lawn at the YMCA was cleaned up by seven WCHS students, including Anna McCullough.
"I think it's really good," said McCullough of BLITZ. "I'm glad that the school offers it. I think it's a very positive thing to do."
A sophomore, McCullough said she will "most definitely" participate in BLITZ next year.
Among the students picking up trash behind Our Father's House were Trevor Thames and Macy Hammer. Both were involved in BLITZ for the first time, and both said it's a good program.
"The community helps us, so why not give back?" Thames said.
"It's not a bad idea as long as kids are willing to do it," said Hammer.
Chaperoning students during BLITZ were teachers who also volunteered their time. This was the second year teacher David Bailey chaperoned a group at WCPL.
"I've heard adults say kids today just get a hand out, they don't have to work for things," said Bailey. BLITZ shows that WCHS is part of the community, he said, and are willing to work in the community.
"I think it's a great opportunity for the kids to give back to the community," said guidance counselor Scott Seney. Warsaw Schools benefits so much from the community, he said, that it's nice for students to give back. "I don't know that a lot of schools do this. ... It would be great if we had 50 percent participate, we could do a lot of stuff."
While there were many new faces participating in BLITZ Tuesday, many students returned for a second or third year.
Mallory Kendall, a student council member, worked her third year at Center Lake Park raking, sweeping and picking up sticks. "I helped plan it last year," she said. "It's been really fun to help out the community and spend time with friends."
And she said she's gained an appreciation for the people who work out in the community.
"There are so many people that do this, it's nice to help them out," Kendall said. "It's nice to give back so they don't have to work as hard."
Next year, she said she'd like to see more students involved, and more places for students to volunteer at. For the students who volunteered this year, the student council provided them with free t-shirts, Coke products and Papa John's pizza.
Student council advisor Jim LeMasters said, "Overall, (BLITZ) was a success. We had a lot of new faces, which is good."
The goal of BLITZ, he said, is to get students involved in the community and continue to serve the community. New ideas for next year already are being developed. Each year they try to refine the program and make it better.
Tuesday was an in-service day for teachers, so students were dismissed early from school. However, each year the student council sponsors a half day of volunteerism in the community during the spring in-service day called "Bringing Light Into The Tiger Zone."[[In-content Ad]]Students participating in the 10th annual event Tuesday found themselves cleaning the yards at the YMCA, Our Father's House and Combined Community Services, or playing Bingo with residents at Warsaw Meadows. Three of the students helping out at the Warsaw Community Public Library stacked and organized books. Other organizations welcoming students' efforts included the Courts of Colfax, the fairgrounds, Winona Lake and Warsaw parks, Heartline, Mason Healthcare, Miller's Merry Manor, Lincoln Elementary, Sacred Heart School, Lakeview Middle School, Jefferson Elementary, WCHS and Eisenhower Elementary.
"It's just trying to help give back to the community," said Kyle Tucker, who volunteered at CCS with Warsaw basketball coach Doug T. Ogle and other members of the basketball team.
Tucker said the team also volunteered at CCS during the 2006 BLITZ and stacked shelves of food. During the 2006 BLITZ, it rained all day so volunteer students had to work indoors. "Last year was fun," said Tucker.
Since the weather Tuesday was sunny and warm, this year they cleaned up the trash around the CCS property. They also cleaned out a shed.
The two WCHS students helping residents of Warsaw Meadows were participating in BLITZ for the first time. Both junior Maria Brito and senior Rudy Nuno talked with residents and helped them with a game of Bingo.
"It's really nice," said Nuno of BLITZ. "It's something really great to do for the community. It's really fun, too."
"It's fun, exciting," said Brito. When asked why she volunteered, she said, "I just wanted to see how everything was."
Warsaw Meadows Activities Director Joan Smith said she appreciated the students' efforts.
"It's a great opportunity," Smith said. "I think it gives them an opportunity to follow up on later. I enjoy them helping out, and it's great to have visitors."
The lawn at the YMCA was cleaned up by seven WCHS students, including Anna McCullough.
"I think it's really good," said McCullough of BLITZ. "I'm glad that the school offers it. I think it's a very positive thing to do."
A sophomore, McCullough said she will "most definitely" participate in BLITZ next year.
Among the students picking up trash behind Our Father's House were Trevor Thames and Macy Hammer. Both were involved in BLITZ for the first time, and both said it's a good program.
"The community helps us, so why not give back?" Thames said.
"It's not a bad idea as long as kids are willing to do it," said Hammer.
Chaperoning students during BLITZ were teachers who also volunteered their time. This was the second year teacher David Bailey chaperoned a group at WCPL.
"I've heard adults say kids today just get a hand out, they don't have to work for things," said Bailey. BLITZ shows that WCHS is part of the community, he said, and are willing to work in the community.
"I think it's a great opportunity for the kids to give back to the community," said guidance counselor Scott Seney. Warsaw Schools benefits so much from the community, he said, that it's nice for students to give back. "I don't know that a lot of schools do this. ... It would be great if we had 50 percent participate, we could do a lot of stuff."
While there were many new faces participating in BLITZ Tuesday, many students returned for a second or third year.
Mallory Kendall, a student council member, worked her third year at Center Lake Park raking, sweeping and picking up sticks. "I helped plan it last year," she said. "It's been really fun to help out the community and spend time with friends."
And she said she's gained an appreciation for the people who work out in the community.
"There are so many people that do this, it's nice to help them out," Kendall said. "It's nice to give back so they don't have to work as hard."
Next year, she said she'd like to see more students involved, and more places for students to volunteer at. For the students who volunteered this year, the student council provided them with free t-shirts, Coke products and Papa John's pizza.
Student council advisor Jim LeMasters said, "Overall, (BLITZ) was a success. We had a lot of new faces, which is good."
The goal of BLITZ, he said, is to get students involved in the community and continue to serve the community. New ideas for next year already are being developed. Each year they try to refine the program and make it better.
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