55 years after his death, the impact Martin Luther King had on America is still recognized around the country and in its schools the week of January 16. The high school made it a point to celebrate his legacy throughout last week and respected the progress MLK achieved for America by following in his footsteps with action.
Last week, the high school celebrated Service Learning Week in which various clubs around the school presented activities everyone can do to give back to the community. This endeavor was planned by the Welcoming And Valuing Everybody (WAVE) club run by English teacher Shelli Tabor.
With no school on Monday to honor Martin Luther King Jr, Tuesday kicked off the series of volunteering opportunities. National Honor Society (NHS), a group of students who lead their peers in the realm of service, scholarship, leadership and character, made meals for a community organization called Gilda’s Club after school. NHS is advised by Christine Atchison, the high school administrative assistant of the guidance office.
“NHS is a service based organization and when [Shelli] Tabor asked us to be involved with this we, of course, said yes,” Atchison said.
On Wednesday, the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and Art club made cat and dog toys for the Grand Rapids Humane Society. There are two locations in Grand Rapids and toy donations were dropped off to both sections.
The GSA, run by senior Ella Price, focuses on making a safer and more comfortable place for people of all genders and sexualities, not only for students but the entire community. The Art club teamed up with them for this event to encourage a variety of ideas, have more people involved, and create a cherished community.
“We wanted something that wasn’t really related to what we stand for, because we want to be able to bring that security and that our message to an area that doesn’t already have it.” Price said.
On Thursday during lunch, the WAVE club packed bags for the homeless in Grand Rapids. In these bags there were toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other toiletries that are not usually provided by shelters. WAVE focuses on making everybody feel included and also participates in various activities to celebrate diversity throughout the school year.
After school that day, Rise Up, an organization focused on empowerment and equality for all, put sticky notes with kind words on every teacher’s doors after school to make their morning the next day. The club’s center of attention is educating each other, keeping up on current topics, and fixates on growth. Junior Isela Coronado, junior officer of the club, took part in service learning week with a positive attitude.
“We chose to make sweet sticky notes for our teachers to show appreciation.” Coronado said, “I enjoy doing acts of service to the people who show up for us daily.”
To finish off the week, WAVE did another activity that the high school may be already familiar with, Wildcat Kindness Day. Though this is a monthly activity, implementing it into the week of giving was the cherry on top. Students are welcomed in the morning by friendly hellos from peers and candy.
Although the clubs appreciated the opportunity to get their names out there and encourage people to join this week, their main focus was to contribute to making a difference in people’s lives. Service Learning Week was four consecutive days of giving respect to MLK and will continue to thrive in years to come.
