What happens when all 248 Saint Edward’s Upper School students participate en masse in a Day of Service?
“One word: Incredible! Our students did an amazing job,” said Shelby Fontana, International Program coordinator. “Most importantly, when they finished their hard work and could visually see the impact they had made as a united group, I believe it was a meaningful sense of accomplishment.”
Organized by Terry Moody, dean of students, and Father Tommy Matthews, the morning-long effort last Tuesday was the first time the students had engaged together in a community-wide improvement project.
The breakdown included 57 freshman wor+king at Riverside Park, 61 sophomores at Gifford Youth Achievement Center, 27 juniors at the Habitat for Humanity Restore, 37 juniors at Shining Light Garden, 20 seniors at Dasie Hope, 23 seniors at St. Francis Manor, and 23 seniors at Charles Park.
“It was hard work, but a great experience in that we, as a grade, were able to get out of the classroom environment and actually contribute to the community in a meaningful way,” said 11th-grader Spencer Greaves.
“This was such a great opportunity for Saint Edward’s students to share their time and energy to assist the many sites and agencies that are so important to our community,” said Bruce Wachter, head of the Upper School and associate head of school. “It was an absolute pleasure observing our students quite literally digging into their respective projects and chores. We all are in the benefit of such an exercise and look forward to doing it again.”
Head of School Mike Mersky added that the activities exemplified the school’s concept of a Private School with a Public Purpose.