Service Learning Takes Many Forms

 

Grade 10 students took part in what has become an annual tradition at Rivers by helping run the Special Olympics of Massachusetts regional qualifying tournament for the state finals on February 5. Leading the way were Ella Caggiano, Callie Kamanitz, and Will Mulder, who chose this event as the service portion of their RISE project, an integral part of the Grade 10 experience at Rivers.

More than 20 teams from six divisions competed in both the Benson and Haffenreffer Gymnasiums from early Sunday morning through the late afternoon. Ninety Rivers sophomores presided over the opening and closing award ceremonies, helped officiate games, were team liaisons and cheerleaders, and made sure the 400 visitors were well cared for with lunch and snacks in Kraft Dining Hall throughout the day. Students worked in shifts to make sandwiches, pump up balls, hang signs, set up and run scoreboards for the three courts in constant use, and provide colorful play-by-play commentary throughout. In the “Olympic Village,” participants made valentines for vets and tried their hand at corn hole matches.

Another group of students has made a more long-term commitment by volunteering every Wednesday afternoon at the Headstart program in Waltham. Ten Upper School students spend a few hours each week with the youngsters after school, reading to them, organizing art projects, playing games, and just generally hanging out with the children. Students currently volunteering are: Eliza Baldini ’17, Callie Hilinski ’20, Nothando Khumalo ’19, Natasha McMillan ’19, Charlotte Paul ’19, Alexa Sheinkopf ’17, Julia Slayne ’18, Isabel Teixeira ’18, Evelyn Thomajan ’20, and Kendall Zaleski ’18.
 

In an effort to showcase the many opportunities available year round, several Rivers students spoke at a recent all-school meeting about their own service learning experiences last summer. For some it was a time to examine issues of equity and social change with groups of like-minded peers, while for others an opportunity to get hands-on service experience. Maggie Monahan ’19 talked about her work with the MetroWest Foundation, and Kate Shaughnessy ’19 talked about working with homeless children through Horizons. Tommy Benjes ’18 and Emma DuBois ’18 shared their experiences both volunteering at Rosie's Place and attending the social justice institute that the shelter sponsors. Many other Rivers students have spent summers volunteering with organizations such as Tenacity, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Community Legal Services and Counseling Center.

Finally Julia Homa ’18, Khloe Katende ’18, and Louise Ambler ’18 talked about their experiences in a year-long diversity program sponsored by YW Boston which has the dual goal of “eliminating racism and empowering women.” InIt is an award-winning youth leadership initiative which provides students with social justice education and training outside of the classroom, and supports their growth into socially responsible youth leaders. They are required to design and execute a community action project to create positive change in their school or community, and the Rivers students are planning to run a series of workshops on campus addressing social justice issues.

For students who want help explore options that extend their own interests, Director of Service Learning Kit Cunningham is available to work with them to discover what will be most meaningful to them.