Marion Harding High School students paint the teen room at the Boys and Girls Club of Marion County
Marion Harding High School students and staff spent Friday giving back to the community during the school’s first United Service Day. Harding partnered with the United Way of Marion County, the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, the City of Marion and the Pearson Foundation to organize the day. The majority of students and staff participated in 28 community service projects.
Among projects were reading to children at elementary schools, completing beautification projects throughout the community, visiting with residents of retirement homes and serving lunches to veterans.
“It’s important to give back to the community that gives to you,” said freshman Angela Alvarez, part of Harding’s United Service Day planning committee.
Senior Wes Gherman, another member of the planning committee, said the day went better than he envisioned despite the rain.
“I think it was a really big success,” he said. “It’s exciting to lead what we hope will be an annual event.”
Marion Harding High School students read to Taft Elementary School students on Friday as part of Harding’s United Service Day.
Gherman said during the event’s kickoff that he’s hopeful students get the chance to form bonds with their community.
“We hope we inspire a community of achievement,” he said.
The purpose of the event was to help students develop leadership skills, character and civic pride through giving back to the community. Students worked with the United Way and staff to identify potential projects and prioritize needs.
“Our kids are awesome. Our staff did an awesome job,” said Harding principal Kirk Koennecke.
The chamber of commerce held its monthly bagels and breakfast at the high school as business leaders heard students describe the event.
Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer proclaimed the day United Service Day. Marion City Schools Board of Education member Mike McCreary, a former Harding principal, served as the event kickoff’s guest speaker and thanked students for making the choice to serve their community and represent the high school.
“Once you do this, your community recognizes, ‘Hey, those kids are OK,’” he said. McCreary urged them to be lifetime givers by being volunteers.
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