Story by Alyssa Jara
Sports Editor
When Ms. Nicole Pfeister went to religion classes and passed out papers at the end of last school year that had guidelines for the new mandatory Christian Service hours, juniors, who would be seniors in a few months, had a singular reaction: “Wait, what?”
The new program, which started during the summer, requires students to serve 20 hours each year. Initially, the 2011-2012 seniors complained, but by their first meeting with their faculty service coordinator, their anxiety settled, and some even seemed excited about the program.
“I like this new service project venture because it gives all of the students an opportunity to stand out and work towards benefiting their future,” said senior Hannah West.
Senior Andrew Prather agreed.
“I am willing to put forth the time it takes to help those in need,” he said.
Meanwhile, the new Christian Service moderators, Ms. Cindy Medina and Mr. Bernardito Kasilag, have tried to make students aware of service possibilities. They even created a Facebook page to keep students in the loop.
“We also have a list outside the counselor’s office of different organizations that Mr. Kasilag and I researched over summer,” said Ms. Medina.
Some volunteer opportunities at Amat include helping out at retreats or events the school hosts, going to Adopt-A-Grandparent, and helping out in the library before or after school.
When they do have school-sponsored activities, such as Adopt-A-Grandparent, applications in the faculty house quickly disappear as students take advantage of the convenient way to accumulate service hours.
Adopt-A-Grandparent is a program Bishop Amat High School holds where students are able to visit the elderly people of Country Villa in West Covina.
“I chose the Adopt-A-Grandparent program here on campus because it is convenient to my schedule,” West said. “I like seeing the impact it has on the patients and the happiness we bring to them when we visit.”
Considering it is a new program and is something the upperclassmen are not used to, some worry that they may have trouble keeping up with the new task but the seniors seem to prove otherwise.
“If the students don’t work I can see them having a problem, but 20 hours isn’t a lot and they can get it done,” said Ms. Medina. “If they procrastinate then yes, but if they ask questions and take advantage of opportunities then no.”
So far, seniors seem to be getting it.
“I volunteered at the freshman retreat because it was convenient and it was cool to know what the freshman thought about our school,” said senior Steven Ramirez.
Ms. Medina said that the most important thing is for students to find something that will excite them.
“Do something that you are interested in, not something just to get hours done,” she said. “If you like music then do something with music. If you like animals then do something that involves animals.”
5 FUN Christian Service Volunteer Ideas
1. Helping decorate the floats for the annual Rose Parade in Irwindale (wcrosefloat.org to sign up)
2. Upcoming ‘winter shelters’ at local parishes
3. Upcoming Thanksgiving dinner services for the homeless
4. Adopt-A-Grandparent
5. Beagles & Buddies
