Kingswood Oxford’s sophomores, juniors, and seniors stepped up on Friday, Sept. 12, during the second annual Service Learning Day to help out those in need. Each grade, given their own task, left a positive impact on either the Hartford area or within their form.
Form four students began their morning with a grade breakfast and an assortment of colorful bagels, drinks, and sweets. At 8:45, they boarded their bus and began their journey to Levo International, a non-profit food organization located in Hartford. Their mission is to grow food using hydroponics and to empower those living in food deserts.
Students attended a variety of stations, ranging from farming tomatoes to mulching, painting, and disinfecting materials. Levo workers guided each student through the stations, teaching them the ins and outs of daily operations.
Sophomore Talia Coccomo shared how touched she felt volunteering for this cause. “Knowing I got to help people and could make a difference was empowering,” Talia said. “My favorite station was cutting the weeds off the tomatoes because I got to feel more connected to the project and see first-hand the difference we’re making.”
The junior class took a different approach to their service learning day. They too started their day with a wholesome and hearty breakfast; however, they used the day as a way to connect with their peers and grow while staying on campus. They competed in a variety of leadership-led activities, including Newcomb, tag, and trivia, ending their day with a Kona ice truck.
Junior Chloe Delaire said that she built a deeper connection to her class. “A key takeaway from this experience is talking to people because they actually open up a lot with every conversation,” Chloe said. “You just got to put yourself out there and have good conversations with people.”
The senior class was divided into five groups who went to the following locations: Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy, My Sister’s Place, Foodshare, the Community Renewal Team, and Journey Home. Upper School Spanish teacher Kathleen McLean and Dean of Students Kata Baker organized these events, carefully considering which students would benefit most from each set of service work.
“Our goals for the […] seniors were to empower them to have experiences off campus working directly with nonprofit organizations, to understand their role in the wider community, and to evolve their own leadership skills through service work,” Ms. McLean said. “We wanted students to have the chance to live the motto, ‘Care Beyond Self,’ and to have a hands-on experience in the Greater Hartford Area.”
Senior Alexandra Doering’s task was to pack a U-Haul truck full of furniture such as chairs, lamps, and tables. From there, her team worked together to move the furniture into several people’s homes. They worked hard, lifting heavy loads up flights of stairs, and in the end furnished previously empty homes.
Alex said she has done this type of work before and enjoyed seeing its impact on underprivileged people. “You get to meet people in real time, and you get to see the impact you’re making in their lives, while making connections, and getting to know these people and who they are,” she said.
Together, the sophomores, juniors, and senior classes embodied what it means to be a Wyvern and used the day to benefit those in need and grow stronger as a community.
