WCHS Students Try To Make Difference In The Community
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
More than 450 Warsaw Community High School students participated in the school's annual BLITZ Wednesday afternoon.
BLITZ, "Bringing Light Into the Tiger Zone," is sponsored by the student council. The event is an opportunity for students to make a difference in the community as well as show a positive side of students. Groups of students are assigned randomly to volunteer at various places in Warsaw.
This is the fifth year for BLITZ, according to student council adviser Jim LeMasters. This is the second year BLITZ was held on a weekday. Wednesday was an early-release day for the entire student body.
Matt Guy, a sophomore and a member of the student council, said the sophomore class plans BLITZ every year, and planning for this year's BLITZ began 1-1/2 months ago. Students volunteered at approximately 35 different locations around Warsaw, "just a lot of places."
And the benefits to the students are more than just getting out of school and free pizza and ice cream. "They get to show the community what we're all about," Guy said.
In return, the community gets help with duties that otherwise might not get done or might be put off until later.
"It feels great," Guy said of the volunteering. He said during the volunteering, kids get to see a part of the community they normally wouldn't get to see because they are in school.
Juniors Elizabeth Behny, Melanie Bailey and Rachel Taylor volunteered at the Animal Welfare League.
"We washed dogs. We walked dogs. We held cats," said Behny.
The group also cleaned and did laundry. "It was really fun," said Bailey of the entire experience.
For Behny, the best part was seeing all the animals happy from all the attention.
"Almost all of us are going to volunteer there (again). It doesn't take much time there," said Taylor.
Behny said, "They are always wanting volunteers to do it."
Esteban Coria, a junior, worked at the Kosciusko County 4-H Fairgrounds.
"We picked up rocks and pulled weeds," said Coria. "It doesn't matter how (small) the job is, it's still helping people."
This is the second year senior Stanton Moore participated in BLITZ. "It's a great way to help the community, to give back," he said.
The benefits to students, he said, were "making us feel more of a part of the community, feel a part of something." In return, he said, the community gets a better image of its students.
"I think it's a great way to get students involved," said senior Abby Sumpter. For students who don't participate in sports or other school activities, she said, BLITZ is a way for them to get involved.
BLITZ may help students continue to volunteer in the future, Sumpter said. "I think it'll start. If they do it all four years, it'll create a pattern for them to do community service."
Krista Wilson, a freshman, said she decided to participate this year "because I haven't been involved that much in the school and I wanted to help out."
She said she will continue to participate in BLITZ during her entire high school experience. From it, she said, she personally gets "the satisfaction of knowing I helped out in the community and made a difference, no matter how small."
Freshman Kayla Roller said BLITZ is a chance for her "to help keep our environment clean" and give back to the community.
"I think it helps. At least we're helping get everything cleaned up," said Kayla Shelton, freshman. She said she plans to participate for the rest of her high school career.
Shelton and Roller helped rake grass and leaves at Oakwood Cemetery.
The transportation to and from the work sites was provided by school buses. Workplaces included area churches, elementary schools, elderly people's homes, nursing homes, the fairgrounds, the street and park departments, cemeteries and the animal shelter, among others. Volunteers chaperoning included more than 25 parents and 40 teachers.
After the BLITZ, a party for the students participating was held with pizza and ice cream. Battle of the Bands winner Jessie and the Rippers played for the students.
Of BLITZ, WCHS assistant principal Jennifer Brumfield said, "The connection between community and the classroom is essential to education. Service education should be a part of every student's graduation requirement." [[In-content Ad]]
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More than 450 Warsaw Community High School students participated in the school's annual BLITZ Wednesday afternoon.
BLITZ, "Bringing Light Into the Tiger Zone," is sponsored by the student council. The event is an opportunity for students to make a difference in the community as well as show a positive side of students. Groups of students are assigned randomly to volunteer at various places in Warsaw.
This is the fifth year for BLITZ, according to student council adviser Jim LeMasters. This is the second year BLITZ was held on a weekday. Wednesday was an early-release day for the entire student body.
Matt Guy, a sophomore and a member of the student council, said the sophomore class plans BLITZ every year, and planning for this year's BLITZ began 1-1/2 months ago. Students volunteered at approximately 35 different locations around Warsaw, "just a lot of places."
And the benefits to the students are more than just getting out of school and free pizza and ice cream. "They get to show the community what we're all about," Guy said.
In return, the community gets help with duties that otherwise might not get done or might be put off until later.
"It feels great," Guy said of the volunteering. He said during the volunteering, kids get to see a part of the community they normally wouldn't get to see because they are in school.
Juniors Elizabeth Behny, Melanie Bailey and Rachel Taylor volunteered at the Animal Welfare League.
"We washed dogs. We walked dogs. We held cats," said Behny.
The group also cleaned and did laundry. "It was really fun," said Bailey of the entire experience.
For Behny, the best part was seeing all the animals happy from all the attention.
"Almost all of us are going to volunteer there (again). It doesn't take much time there," said Taylor.
Behny said, "They are always wanting volunteers to do it."
Esteban Coria, a junior, worked at the Kosciusko County 4-H Fairgrounds.
"We picked up rocks and pulled weeds," said Coria. "It doesn't matter how (small) the job is, it's still helping people."
This is the second year senior Stanton Moore participated in BLITZ. "It's a great way to help the community, to give back," he said.
The benefits to students, he said, were "making us feel more of a part of the community, feel a part of something." In return, he said, the community gets a better image of its students.
"I think it's a great way to get students involved," said senior Abby Sumpter. For students who don't participate in sports or other school activities, she said, BLITZ is a way for them to get involved.
BLITZ may help students continue to volunteer in the future, Sumpter said. "I think it'll start. If they do it all four years, it'll create a pattern for them to do community service."
Krista Wilson, a freshman, said she decided to participate this year "because I haven't been involved that much in the school and I wanted to help out."
She said she will continue to participate in BLITZ during her entire high school experience. From it, she said, she personally gets "the satisfaction of knowing I helped out in the community and made a difference, no matter how small."
Freshman Kayla Roller said BLITZ is a chance for her "to help keep our environment clean" and give back to the community.
"I think it helps. At least we're helping get everything cleaned up," said Kayla Shelton, freshman. She said she plans to participate for the rest of her high school career.
Shelton and Roller helped rake grass and leaves at Oakwood Cemetery.
The transportation to and from the work sites was provided by school buses. Workplaces included area churches, elementary schools, elderly people's homes, nursing homes, the fairgrounds, the street and park departments, cemeteries and the animal shelter, among others. Volunteers chaperoning included more than 25 parents and 40 teachers.
After the BLITZ, a party for the students participating was held with pizza and ice cream. Battle of the Bands winner Jessie and the Rippers played for the students.
Of BLITZ, WCHS assistant principal Jennifer Brumfield said, "The connection between community and the classroom is essential to education. Service education should be a part of every student's graduation requirement." [[In-content Ad]]