On Friday, Sept. 11, KO held its annual Service Learning Day. Whether you’re a freshman just getting back from Camp Meriwood, a sophomore whose morning was spent helping with hydroponic gardens, a junior who spent the day team bonding, or a senior who either helped move furniture, prepare meals, teach children, or help on a farm, Friday was not your typical school day.
Service Learning Day is held annually, with sophomores and seniors participating in various volunteer activities.
At 9:00 a.m., the sophomores arrived at Levo International, a non-profit hydroponic garden, where they split up into their groups and began all sorts of activities, such as cutting weeds off tomatoes, moving and then raking rocks to support the flowerbeds, weeding, sealing wood, or cutting wood. The groups would rotate activities so they could get a feel for each job. The sophomores then headed back to campus at noon, where they had lunch and then were surprised with the special treat of a Kona Ice truck.
Service Learning Day for the seniors looked a bit different from the sophomores. They started their morning with an assembly where they were assigned to volunteer at either Journey Home, Traprock Land Conservancy, Community First School, or Meals on Wheels.
Every group focused on something different. Journey Home delivered and assembled furniture for people in need. At Traprock Land Conservancy, students weeded and helped out on the farm. At Community First School, students taught elementary students with grade-specific learning, and at Meals on Wheels, students prepared meals for those in need.
Senior Elyssa Ofori-Boadu helped kindergarten students at Community First School with many basic skills, such as writing the alphabet and helping them learn phonics. “I got to personalize it and make learning fun for them,” she shared, “which is something that I really enjoy doing.”
Senior Zaid Raza spent his day moving furniture from moving vans, unloading and assembling furniture for people in need. This job was not easy; they carried and lifted large pieces of furniture, but in the end, the feeling was very enriching. “Being able to help out felt really rewarding.” Zaid shared.
Service learning is more than just getting volunteer hours. It’s about working together with friends and helping out in the community. “It allows people to be off campus and to interact with each other in a way that is not sitting in a class,” Spanish teacher and Service Learning Coordinator Kathleen McLean shared. “Students could collaborate, build different skills. It could be delegation, leadership skills; it could be communication skills; everyone could really show what they’re capable of.”
Overall, this day provided students with an opportunity to grow and showcase their skills in a way that also helps our community.
