Service Learning Day has lasting impact on students, staff and organizations

Last Friday students at Hollister High School put aside their regular studies to participate in the school's annual Service Learning Day. All of Hollister High's 420 students, along with their teachers, aides and administrators spent the day serving at local organizations, nonprofits or businesses to give back to the community. It is a tradition that began ten years ago.

Students dispersed to 19 separate locations, volunteering at such places as the American Legion, Table Rock State Park, Branson Regional Arts Council, Caring Community Thrift Store, Christian Action Ministries, National Tiger Sanctuary, Point Lookout Nursing Home, the Crisis Center of Taney County, Mochas and Meows and more. Some students and staff traveled as far as Springfield and Rogersville to serve others.

One group of students served at the Branson Humane Society, where they tackled many chores.

"They helped out by spending time with the dogs outside. They spent time with the cats. They helped with laundry, washing dishes, cleaning out pet carriers, helped in the thrift store and bagged pet food for the community," said Vanessa Wheeler, Branson Humane Society Volunteer Coordinator. "Everything we asked of them, they were right on it. Along the way I told them about our mission and what we do. A lot of them didn't know. They seemed to really enjoy it."

Hollister High School Geometry teacher Jesse Baker, who worked alongside the 10 students at the Humane Society noted, "I think the kids get a sense of being connected to the community. They were really excited to be here, to be able to play with the dogs and cats. But they also got to experience all of the work that goes into it. They appreciated knowing that people can come here to get dogs that have been well played with or cats that have been loved on, so that they can go to good homes in the area."

"We are hopeful that Service Learning Day benefits our students by teaching them the invaluable experience of giving something of themselves that can never be repaid," explained Dr. Kristina Smith, Hollister High School Principal. "It is a priority for HHS students to learn to give back to the community they live in that gives so much to so many. Seeing and hearing the transformation of our students' care, love and concern for others is a lesson that we know extends far beyond academic learning."

Dr. Smith continued, "Our community's reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.  Organizations know this is a day that we get to send students to serve. They save projects, share stories of those that have been positively impacted from students' serving and genuinely look forward to the transformation they directly observe in students yearly as they serve their organization. I believe that our community partners see the value of 'many hands make light work.' By many students completing a large amount of work in a short time, this frees the organizations to do the more important work of fulfilling their organization's mission."

"I believe that the generation running many of our organizations gets to see the greatness of humanity in our younger generation that will one day lead our community with their empathy, compassion and heart," Dr Smith added. "There is great hope, great love and great young people that are promising for our community's future."