Class of 2012 Service Project

D.C. Candlelighters service project from the class of 2011

The senior officers of the Student Government Association (SGA) set a goal this year to get at least 50 percent of the senior class to participate in community service.

The officers will promote the class of 2012 service project by either holding events directly at school or at school sponsored events, such as last year’s D.C CandleLighters.

Not only can students participate at the events, they can contribute to the project directly through a class or an honor society. This year, all seniors are required to do 20 hours throughout the school year for their Government class and 10 hours each quarter for National Honor Society (NHS). Six of the hours for NHS have to be from service, and four can be from donations.

“By making service a requirement, I can expect 100 percent participation from the senior class,” senior class president Josh Gordon said.

The first service project that SGA has planned is a canned food drive in honor of Homecoming week, called “Can the Competition.” From Sept. 26-30^, bins will be set up in hallways so that students of any grade can drop cans in and participate in giving back to the community. Canned foods will also be collected in any classroom and at the Homecoming game.

“When students bring in cans to their class, teachers will collect them and have the student sign off on a sheet of paper,” class of 2012 sponsor Meredith Alexander said. “Students who bring in cans will receive NHS service hours.”

On the night of the Homecoming game, SGA officers will collect cans in front of the entrance gate. At the end of the end, all of the canned foods will be donated to the Embry Rucker Community Shelter.

“I think it’s a good idea supporting the efforts of the community,” senior William Carlin said.

All of the future service projects sponsored by the class of 2012 will be for various organizations.

“We want to make [everyone] aware that the can food drive and other service projects are school wide projects and not limited only to seniors,” Alexander said.

The major difference between last year’s service project and this year is where the money will go. Last year, the purpose of some of the projects was to raise money for prom and the SGA; however, this year, the money raised in the projects will all be donated to charity organizations.

“We’re trying to create a difference in the school environment by getting students to not only participate in academics but also community service,” senior class treasurer Mitch Phillips said.

Information on future service projects will be announced by the SGA in October.

“Doing service projects are not just to give back to the community but also to make students feel proud of themselves,” senior class vice president Michael Jacob said.

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