Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Local teenagers get flack for being "lazy," "uncaring" and "insensitive."
A group of students at Wawasee High School is making a conscious effort to change those stereotypes.
Students at WHS founded the Amy Vanlaningham Society last spring. The society is named for a former WHS student whose life was unexpectedly taken while serving the people of Haiti. The mission statement of the society is to facilitate student involvement in community service projects and to heighten awareness on issues that affect the community.
"We try to keep the group to a project-by-project basis," WHS student and AVS member Ben Ashpole said. "It's an opportunity to get out there and help make a difference."
Society member Kristi Brandon said, "It's the right thing to do. If I was not involved, it would weigh on my conscience."
The society's current project is a campaign called "Wawasee Cares." It began as a school-wide petition against racism and has a three-point mission statement.
The first point is a commitment to the school that will fulfill its stated mission of developing the academic, social and artistic skills of students so they will be productive, responsible citizens. The group believes that commitment includes a respect for ethnic and cultural differences and an appreciation of the value of every individuals as a person.
Point two is a commitment to a community that shares the values of the society and will welcome, encourage and support all those who live, work and attend the schools in the corporation.
The third commitment is to the schools and community coming together to eliminate misunderstanding, confront hatred and advance the best ideals of a truly democratic society.
Brandon said, "This is something I actually believe in."
The general purpose of Wawasee Cares is to give the community an opportunity to support these goals. A full-page advertisement will be published in a local paper Wednesday Nov. 11 to help accomplish the overall purpose. The advertisement will include the Wawasee Cares logo for display in windows by supportive citizens.
Wawasee Cares week will begin Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. with a walk through each of the three towns that comprise the Wawasee school corporation. The Milford and North Webster walks will start at 2 p.m. simultaneously. The Milford march will begin at Milford school and end at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The North Webster march will begin at the American Legion and end at the stoplight right after Adventureland.
From the ending points of each march, buses will transport participants to the Calvary United Methodist Church in Syracuse. The final march will then begin at 3 p.m. and will lead to a kickoff and rally at Wawasee High School.
Also, a community church service is planned for Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Oakwood Spiritual Center. All supportive members of the community are invited.
"Everyone's really excited about us doing this," Brandon said.
The AVS is working on additional programs to continue the concepts of Wawasee Cares week on a more permanent basis. By educating people on the issues of racism, AVS hopes to begin to make positive changes in the Wawasee community.
"It's student-led, and anyone is always welcome. Our doors are open," Ashpole said.
Jaxon Swain, WHS student and AVS member, said, "Everyone is totally welcome to be involved with this."
Any person or business who would like to help AVS in any way or who has questions about Wawasee Cares can contact Brandon at 457-8339. Her e-mail address is Kristi@ligtel.com.
