The class of 2014 on Oct. 21 piled into three large yellow busses and set out on a journey of good will. The freshmen, sponsored and chaperoned by Ms. Nevils and Ms. Alexander, participated in the first official Freshman Volunteer Day U.City has seen in many years. The local charities that benefitted from the kind-hearted students were Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club, Family Haven Salvation Army, and others, including the high school itself. Students helped rake leaves, clean and rearrange furniture, hung clothing, make sandwiches, and pick up trash among other things.

“We’ve all become a little selfish,” Ms. Nevils said about why she chose now to bring back this event. She traveled with a small group to Family Haven, a branch of the Salvation Army that focuses on housing single mothers, fathers, or down-on-their-luck families.  Following a bit of cleaning and raking, the students were taken on a tour of the place and shown how much more they could do. When asked, six of the nine students asked for a volunteer sheet to come back and help out again.

“When you see what little others have, you appreciate what you have,” freshman Adeshola Adewale said afterwards. She was one of many students who fell humbled by their experiences helping the less fortunate.

“No one gave us a moment’s trouble,” Ms. Alexander added proudly, and no complaints were heard from any of the students.

[nggallery id=23]