SENIOR PROFILE: DAN WALKER
Senior Dan Walker got roped into Senior Service Day only 24 hours before the project. Despite the last minute plans, Walker is glad he was given the opportunity to spend the day volunteering.
Walker, along with over 100 other seniors, participated in the popular apple picking project, After the Harvest. Spending the day with people he doesn’t normally have classes with was his favorite part.
“I liked getting to hang out with my friends,” Walker said. “I sat with them on the bus, picked apples with them and ate lunch with them.”
The hardest part of the project, according to Walker, was knowing which apples were acceptable to pick and which weren’t. Many seemed “good” at first glance, until he picked them up and saw they were covered in bruises or rotting.
“The bad apples were gross,” Walker said. “I thought it was funny to put them in my friends’ faces.”
PROJECT PROFILE: APPLE PICKING
With over 100 seniors participating, the most popular Senior Service Day project was After the Harvest. Students went to Cider Hill Orchard in Bonner Springs to pick apples that were later delivered to local food pantries. After the Harvest is a nonprofit organization that provides fresh fruits and vegetables to people in need in Kansas and Missouri.
Initially, SHARE coordinator Krissie Wiggins struggled to find a service spot for 100 high schoolers with short notice, since Wiggins had started her position as coordinator only seven weeks prior. Wiggins was directed to After the Harvest by Rockhurst’s service day coordinator after reaching out to him for help.
“We knew it would be fun for the class to participate in one large project together,” Wiggins said. “Kind of like going to the pumpkin patch when they were in kindergarten.”
Senior Max Byers enjoyed the service day because he got to spend it with his friends.
“It was nice having a day off of school,” Byers said. “But getting to hang out with everyone and know I was helping other people made me feel like I didn’t just waste my day off.”
EXECUTIVE PROFILE: MACKENZIE SWEAT
Although approximately 250 seniors participated in Senior Service Day, no one was more involved than the seven SHARE executives. Coordinator Krissie Wiggins said these seniors were more effective in planning than many adults she’s worked with.
“The executives were absolutely critical to the day’s success,” Wiggins said. “I knew they would have to carry the banner to inspire their fellow seniors. Their insight was critical in helping me understand the best way to organize and promote the day so the seniors would buy in.”
SHARE executive senior Mackenzie Sweat has been preparing for this day since the beginning of the year. She and the other execs visited senior seminars to promote the event, and also contacted service sites.
On the day of the event, Sweat worked at Hospice House with nine other seniors. There they received a two hour training session on how to help individuals in hospice.
“Not many people signed up for that project, so as an exec Krissie asked if I would work there,” Sweat said. “It wasn’t the most popular project, but I’m so glad I went.”
Sweat, along with the other execs, is pleased with the way the day went. The turnout of students exceeded their expectations.
“I think the service day benefitted those who haven’t ever had the chance to serve in the community,” Sweat said. “It was great seeing the senior class all come together to do something for someone else.”
COORDINATOR PROFILE: KRISSIE WIGGINS
SHARE coordinator Krissie Wiggins spent seven weeks preparing for Senior Service Day, and although she was overwhelmed at first, she said the day was a huge success.
“All credit to the senior class,” Wiggins said. “They weren’t required to be in school that morning and yet more than 250 showed up. What a precedent they’ve set for future classes.”
On the actual day of the event, Wiggins stayed behind at East to be the “hub”. According the Wiggins, there were a few “hiccups” throughout the day, so she was glad to be there.
“I was sad not to get to see the kids at work at the service sites,” Wiggins said, “But I’ve really enjoyed the pictures. When the kids returned, I sought feedback from them and some of the adults who went along.”
After this year’s success, Wiggins can’t wait for next year. She is glad to have more time to plan, and also intends to involve staff members in the planning.
“I hope to create more opportunities for the students to challenge themselves and move out of their comfort zone,” Wiggins said. “I’d love to see the class of 2016 show up in even greater numbers, though I’ll always have a special place in my heart for the class of 2015.”
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