This spring, Sierra Vista High’s ASB students pledged to not only make a difference in their school, but to also help their surrounding community.
ASB recently organized a visit to the Oakmont of Whittier retirement home, where six Sierra Vista students dedicated part of their Saturday morning to work alongside the residents in memory care.
Students played a bingo-style game in which they had to find an interesting fact about all the residents and led group activities, such as reading the newspaper and asking questions about interesting pictures.
Phillip Ortiz, a junior, said his favorite part of serving was connecting with the senior citizens and learning about their lives, then and now.
“After volunteering, I have more confidence in volunteering in the future," Ortiz said.
Several students expressed interest in continuing to volunteer at the retirement home.
“It was beautiful to see the inter-generational communication between students and residents,” ASB Assistant for Student Activities Patricia Zazueta said. “It was as if all social pressures and anxieties completely disappeared in the room. Both generations had so much to offer to one another.”
ASB students also participated in the Pennies for Patients campaign for the fourth year in a row. The program is sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Collection boxes were delivered to all classrooms and a two-day Sweet and Savory Sale was organized on campus with the goal of collecting $300.
With the help of staff, Sierra Vista ASB raised $368.85, breaking an all-time school record of donations raised for the Pennies for Patients program.
Sierra Vista ASB will continue to cultivate a culture of giving and volunteering, knowing that serving fosters true joy and strength.