EHS Promotes Community Service

Euclid High School students recently gained the ability to recieve special recognition for performing community service. Students who perform at least 20 hours of service for each year they attend Euclid High School will be designated "Outstanding Citizens" at their Commencement Ceremony. Their names will be highlighted to thank them for their service and they will wear a specially designed cord to further mark the honor.

Euclid High School administrators developed the concept to provide an additional means of recognizing oustanding student performance. Students can earn service hours for functions both inside and outside the school. Many students are active members of their churches or other local organizations. Recognizing the contributions of these students will reinforce the importance of becoming active citizens.

This initiative stems from the mindset created by the "STAND UP" movement, originally formed to help combat violence within the school. Students involved in the "STAND UP" organization continue to focus on reducing bullying and promoting non-violent resolution to conflict. However, the club has also become a promoter of enhanced school spirit and, now, community service.

"STAND UP" members recently chose to spearhead a food drive to help local families in need. "STAND UP" leaders teamed with NJROTC cadets to lead a competition betweeen homerooms to see which class could donate the most items. Then, students loaded a box truck full of donations and brought them to representatives of the Euclid Collaborative. In all, 20 crates of more than 75 items each combined with more than 20 $20 gift cards to help provide food to families for the holiday season.

The students were thrilled with the results of their efforts. Diamond Hawkins, EHS junior, exclaimed, "This is amzing we have so much food." "I know this is really going to help a lot of people," stated Shaquille Hairston, a senior. Isaiah Chambers, a sophomore, was tired after carrying out so many boxes to the truck but explained, "It's worth it...it's all going to a great cause."

The EHS faculty hopes that the addition of the community service honor to Commencement will help to promote more of these selfless acts of citizenship.