On Wednesday, May 16th Harford County Public Schools will be holding its 13th Annual Service Learning Stars Celebration at Harford Technical High School. At this event HCPS recognizes students who have been nominated by their teachers for their outstanding Service Learning Projects during the past school year. This year Bel Air School has three groups of students who will be recognized on May 16th for their outstanding Service Learning Projects.
Over the next three days The Bellarion will be spotlighting each of these groups and describing their Service Learning Projects. If you see any of these students in school please take a moment to congratulate them for these wonderful achievement.
Hope Club
“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve,” says the famous words of Martian Luther King Jr. The HOPE club makes these words come to life by performing acts of community service at Bel Air High School and in the community. As a result of their countless hours in the evenings and on weekends to ensure success of the HOPE club, nine members were nominated by Mrs. McDonough and Mr. Daniel to represent Bel Air High School as Service Learning SERVICE STARS for their long hours of service within the school and community. These nominees include: Allison Bredder, Mike Chojnaki, Kayla Erculiani, Alex Grannas, Sophia Kalandros, Nicole Lentz, Caroline Lozzi, Maddie Raimondi, and Hope Williams.
Hope Club, which is run by Mrs. McDonough, stands for “Helping Other People Everywhere.” Students can join by filling out an application outside of Mrs. McDonough’s room. “You can help as much or as little as you want,” says Mrs. McDonough. Upcoming events for students to participate in include: March of Dimes, Opening Day at Forest Hill Recreation Center, Second Chances, Spring Fling, Drama Club, Pennies for Patients and Special Olympics. Mrs. McDonough believes that it is important to get involved within the school and community because, “it lets them [students] get a better sense of community and shows how many people really need help. It teaches them a lot.”
All the students began volunteering at different time and for different reasons but there common goal was to help others and give back. All members also agree that it is really satisfying while learning new things, meeting new people and acquiring life lessons.
Allison Bredder: “Helping others is such a simple way to give back. Hope Club is a great outlet to channel efforts to help fundraisers, walks, and other events that need some helping hands,” said Allison. She continued, “As a citizen it’s my duty to help others. Volunteering brings people of numerous backgrounds together, and it is such a positive way to make the world a better place.”
Mike Chojnaki: “I joined Hope Club because I wanted to join an organization to help other people around the community. This was a convenient club to join because it is based right in my own school [Bel Air High]. It offers a lot of community outreach, which is what I wanted to do,” said Mike. He continued, “I really value the community. Many people of the community are there when you need them, whether it is helping set up for an event or helping you raise money. I feel that community service is my way of giving back. Also, I believe everyone should receive equal opportunities on life. If they need help in pursuing those opportunities, I will be there for them.”
Kayla Erculiani: “I think it is important to give to the community and I thoroughly enjoy helping whenever I can. This project helps me finds ways to contribute to the community,” said Kayla. She continued, “Helping the community benefits others and builds character. It is also a productive way of spending free time. People in the community should do their part to improve the environment they live in. Others can help by getting involved and offering even a small amount of their time.”
Alex Grannas: “I like to help people in need. I feel it is a good way to help my community become a better place. I have been doing Hope Club since freshman year, and I love the feeling of helping people who need it,” said Alex. She continued, “I feel it is important to the community because it is making young people have an impact on the community and make it a better place. You never realize how much you can do to help people in need. It makes you realize how great the world can be.”
Sophia Kalandros: “I feel it is important because I know I’ve been given so much, so giving back is a great way to show my appreciation. Helping others is also a great way to connect with the community.”
Nicole Lentz: “I began [Hope Club] my freshman year because I felt like it was a good way to connect with people in need in the community. I always get such satisfaction from being able to see that people can benefit from my help and I can make their lives easier,” Nicole said. She continued, “Being able to help people in the community is important because it helps the community better its self. It also shows everyone that we aren’t selfish and care about the community we live in. But most importantly, it allows you to value life more and learn more about other people’s lives.”
Caroline Lozzi: “I have always just wanted to help people, so when I heard about a group that is dedicated to helping others everywhere, I signed up right away,” said Caroline. She continued, “It is important because you get what you put into it. If you come to work with a bad attitude it’s not worth it. People want service with a smile and people who want to help. There is no better feeling than losing yourself in helping others because that is when you get to find out who you truly are.”
Maddie Raimondi: “I love to help other and help around town. Hope Club is where you help the community and others. I go to as many events as I can but I love to do it and help as much as I can,” said Maddie. She continued, “I feel that helping the community will make other people happy and live a good life. It benefits us by putting others before ourselves and helps us learn new things. Also it helps us learn what it is like around us rather than just in our little town.”
Hope Williams: “I have always had a passion to help others, and this [Hope Club] was a perfect opportunity to do this,” said Hope. She continued, “Helping the community allows you to meet new people, experience new things, and not take what you have for granted.”