by Emma Hibdon

“NHS believes that students should be active in the school and community. We require students to complete 20 hours of community service.”-NHS Sponsor Jennifer Minnis

BSHS offers students many opportunities to volunteer both at school and in the community. Service groups such as National Honor Society (NHS) have a community service component to their membership privileges.

“NHS believes that students should be active in the school and community. We require students to complete 20 hours of community service from May of their junior year to April of their senior year,” teacher and NHS chair Jennifer Minnis said.

The BSHS chapter of NHS provides students with many of these opportunities.

“We provide opportunities through the school and community for students to complete these hours or they can find these opportunities on their own,” Minnis said, adding, “so far this year we have been able to help with two blood drives, multiple school carnivals, reading to senior citizens, a citywide Halloween party, elementary school book fairs, community Christmas celebrations, Senior Living Help and Serve, Harvesters, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and more.”

As a student volunteer based organization, the students involved noted that they gained the most from service opportunities.

“I volunteered at Prairie Branch Elementary School in Grain Valley. I really enjoy volunteer work especially at things like book fairs because it’s an opportunity to help out teachers and librarians who don’t get nearly enough recognition and it’s helping encourage kids to read as well,” senior Holly Roustio said.

As the school year draws to a close, NHS members still work hard in their capacities to volunteer.

“Our next opportunity is to serve at an AFSP Event. Many people first learn about the lifesaving work of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) through our walks. Though the Campus Walks only launched in 2010, they sparked a grassroots movement in high schools and colleges across the country that continues to gain momentum each year,” Minnis said.

The walk is scheduled for Saturday, May 5th at BSSHS and begins at 12 pm with registration and check-in at 10:30 am. Online registration closes at noon the Friday before the walk.

“Anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts and donations are accepted until June 30th,” AFSP coordinator Donna Young said.