On a crisp Friday afternoon, the National Honor Society of New York Mills High School set out to perform landscaping services for the elderly of the community.
Jodi Raser, Guidance Counselor at the NY Mills High School, joined the 13 students as they raked and bagged leaves.
"Principal Novak is very supportive of the students doing these community activities," she said. "It's nice to be outside right along with the students. It's fun."
"Doing this was a small thank you to the community who continues to support us," said Theresa Ehnert.
Outside of having fun doing community service together, student Megan Cole was thankful for one resident telling of days long passed.
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"The woman we helped the first day told us her amazing past," she said. Other students said it was a great way to learn of the city's past through its residents.
The National Honor Society students also helped a woman with old Christmas lights around her house. The ones she had hanging were over five years old and the students replaced the broken sets.
"It feels good to give back to the community," Raser said. "The kids are so busy after school that it's great to get out during the day."
"School isn't just academics. It's also about skills that you learn for life," she said.
In the coming weeks, students will be helping the community after regular school hours.
"It's great to be out during the day once in awhile, but we don't want to take too much classroom time away from the students. They are earning college credits and academic skills in the courses they're taking," said Raser.
The group respectfully declined a gentleman who thought that he had to pay the students for their labor.
"It's amazing for the big thank-you's we get for the little things we do," said Theresa Ehnhert.
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Lauren Bach, who serves as President of the National Honor Society and President of the Student Council, said that, "Volunteering our time is only a small part. What stands out is the close connection between the community and the school."
One of the residents who the students helped attended the monthly Civic and Commerce meeting at Eagle's Café on Thursday, October 7.
She praised the students for their efforts and said that she didn't even know who to thank for their help.
Bach said that there was an added benefit to helping the community and creating stronger bonds.
"These are people I normally don't get to see. I wouldn't know them if it wasn't for the help we offer," she said.
