As senior Caroline LaChance counts up the amount of time she spent volunteering at various places within the community, she makes sure everything is accounted for on her application form. As April comes to a close, LaChance and other students who have earned a PVSA award prepare to get recognized for their contributions to their community.
There are many opportunities for volunteering in the San Antonio community so you can choose one that suits your personal interest.
If the oddity of an assortment of cars and planes hanging from the ceiling doesn’t draw you in, maybe the allure of jalapeño bacon will.
If you volunteer in the community or spend time doing community service, you can be awarded for your efforts. Senior Amanda Coursey won the gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award given to people who have participated in certain amounts of community service within one calendar year.
“I was working with the pep squad last year, and just really enjoyed doing that, so I would spend my time with them, and like my Fridays I would go with them to the football games and stuff like that,” Coursey said. “Outside of that, I would be volunteering at a vet, because I want to become a veterinarian later on.”
The sound of talking filled the room as kids gathered around the high schoolers. Senior and English Honor Society president Claudia Serrano held a book in her hand, reading to the elementary kids who looked up at her, listening intently to the story.
“We visited the KIN programs at the local elementary schools, either Roan Forest or Cibolo Green, and we sat down with, it ended up being, basically we ended up working with a ton of kids, and we sat down and read them different fairy tales and different books,” Serrano said. “And then we sat down with those same kids and we helped them write letters to soldiers overseas for Christmas.”
With the end of semester creeping up on students, seniors are ready to open a letter and check “YES.” But when your phone vibrates with the Edmodo message from NHS reading, “Don’t forget! Service hours are due December 12!” chaos ensues.
As soon the package is handed to the soldier they smile. The packages filled with food and supplies are a gift that these soldiers are so excited to see. It makes them think of their families eagerly awaiting their arrival back home.