By: Drew Travis
In what ways have you helped your community in the past school year?
Former Guidance Counselor Amy Buchman started Federal Hocking High School Community Service Day in 2016. This is a day to give back to our communities and show people just how grateful the students at FH really are.
Internship Coordinator Renee Ripple took over the organizing of the event after Buchman became the middle school counselor in 2022.
“Part of our graduation requirement is earning citizenship points and I think students need a structure for this. It is also a valuable lesson in teamwork, serving, leadership, and interacting with the greater community.
Students are going to a variety of sites to serve all over Athens County on Friday, April 17th including: Federal Valley Resource Center, Passionworks, Amesville Park, Amesville and Coolville Elementary Schools, Tablertown Museum, The Hive, Kilvert Community Center, Tree Planting With Rural Action, Lake Snowden, Hideaway on the Hocking River Road cleanup, and the Stewart Post Office flower bed restoration.
Freshman Antwane Keyes has never done community service before but is interested in participating this year. Being a part of Hadley’s advisory, Keyes will be headed for the Amesville Restaurant Revitalization.
Bison Myers in ninth grade said that when it comes to going to Amesville Elementary for Community Service Day.
“It’s alright, I mean it’s better than cleaning toilets.”
Senior Elizabeth Boyd proclaimed “It’s a really good thing to help people out in the community.”
English Teacher Zach Ballew was a staff member at FH when the day was established.
“We get out of school, eat some good food, and have a good day. I think it’s important for students to get out of school and give back to the community.”
This is a day that we can come together more in our advisory classes as students will be spending the day with their advisors and advisory classes. During this time we can eat good food, make people laugh, enjoy ourselves, and do something good.
