As the school year begins, Trinity seniors are already looking for the finish line. They can’t make it to graduation without one of the many graduation requirements that are laid before them. Out of the many conditions, volunteer hours remain at the top of the list.
In the four years students spend at Trinity High School, students have to accumulate ten hours of community service. The service hours forms can be found in Herr. McLaughlin’s room, 289, along with the guidance office. These forms can be submitted multiple times before the deadline of April 1 of each class’s graduation year. Trinity students have been made aware of this requirement since their freshman year.
“I would say get them done as fast as possible freshman year and forget about them,” says McLaughlin, German teacher and Graduation Community Service Hours Administrator.
McLaughlin’s advice expands past that when he mentions, “There are scholarships available,” for those who have an abundance of community service hours.
McLaughlin collects each student’s hours, annotates them and holds them until each graduation year.
Sydney Wahl, a Trinity senior, takes part in all kinds of volunteer opportunities through her church and the community.
“The guidance office always has stuff posted,” says Wahl.
Wahl has found opportunities through her church such as Mission Washington during the summer. She has also been involved with Blueprints, which is an organization that assists individuals in the Washington community in gaining the skills to become self-sufficient.
“Blueprints on Jefferson Ave. always has something to do,” says Wahl.
There are plenty of volunteer opportunities in the Washington Community that can be completed for hours. Many organizations such as the Greater Washington County Food Bank, City Mission and Salvation Army are looking for volunteers to help with a variety of tasks.
Community service hours are a great way to get in touch and learn about the community. Anyone in need of advice or guidance on how to volunteer can contact the guidance office for more information on opportunities.
