Valley Freshmen Take Part In Annual Day Of Service
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Nearly 200 freshmen from Tippecanoe Valley High School volunteered several hours Thursday morning in six local communities. Each year, the school’s ninth-graders participate in Freshmen Day Of Service. The approximately 177 ninth-graders this year volunteered in eight locations in Warsaw and Winona Lake, three places in Mentone, three spots in Akron, at Camp Mollenhour in the Yellow Creek, Claypool, area, and Pottawatomi Park in Tippecanoe. According to Debbie Johnston, TVHS special education department head, “This is the fifth year for the freshman class to participate in the fall day of service. Prior to the day out, students study the concept of service and set goals, and they process the experience afterward through writing, art and discussion upon return to the classroom. It is the objective of TVHS Freshman Academy to open the hearts and minds of students to the benefits of service and to the possibility of service to others as a lifestyle.” At Combined Community Services, Valley students were filling out food orders and sorting clothing. “I think a lot of it is a lot of them don’t get the opportunity to do it any other time,” said Alissa Trippiedi, TVHS math teacher, of why the volunteer day was important. “They can see what community service is about and get the opportunity to do it. We also get ones that come to us when they get back and say they didn’t realize what they got out of (volunteering). All the students will write about it in their English class and what they felt about it.” Freshman Nikita Nelson said volunteering was important “because you can help people out and it teaches us responsibility.” Mayra Rivas said, “I think it’s pretty cool. My mom told me you should go out and help the community and affect change. I like it so far. I’ve never done this before.” Rivas wants to volunteer again, but she said she didn’t know how to start volunteering. Ninth-grader Kaila Bartley had never heard of CCS before Thursday. “I’m learning it’s a good place that helps people who really don’t have anything,” she commented. Inside Our Father’s House, students were helping get rid of stuff that needed to be thrown away. “I think it’s great,” freshman Samuel Bell said of Freshmen Day of Service. “We get to help people all around. We get to help them with food, help them with other stuff. It’s going to be great.” Grace Village Retirement Community resident Esther Snyder got her fingernails painted a shade of mint blue by freshman Audrey Jackson. “It’s fine with me. They’re sweet and they do a good job,” Snyder said, a smile on her face. Outside of Grace Village, three students were working in the yard. Freshman Kyra Short said they pulled weeds, shifted around rocks, picked up sticks, pulled weeds and interacted with residents. Timmy Mollette said it was important “to help out with doing all the stuff for other people.” A first-time volunteer, freshman Mary Marsillett said, “I think it was pretty fun. I liked helping out. I liked interacting with some of (the residents) while doing it because I could see their smiles.” In the Grace Village lobby, ninth-graders Olivia Mikel, Abbi Miller and Breanna Kruger helped resident Laurette Ritz put a 1,000-piece puzzle together. The women talked and had fun, while the puzzle quickly came together. Students volunteering at Baker Youth Club were kept busy doing a lot of cleaning inside and out. BYC Executive Director Tracy Furnivall said, “I feel very fortunate that (TVHS teacher Gregg) Sciarra contacted me about Day of Service. The guys are working extremely hard with cleaning and outside support. We’re very fortunate.” “It’s not that bad. It’s actually pretty fun,” said freshman Brett Wood of volunteering. Dylan Warner was volunteering for the first time. He wiped down the BYC cubby holes and tables and cleaned in the gym. Warner said, “It’s good to give back to the community. I think this is a good program for kids our age. To give back to those who gave to us.” Other locations Valley students volunteered at included Miller’s Merry Manor, Warsaw and Winona Lake parks, a car wash at Penguin Point on Center Street, Town of Mentone, a car wash at Lake City Bank in Mentone, Mentone Elementary School, Church of God Preschool in Akron, Town of Akron and Akron Elementary School.
