On April 16, several 8th grade scholars from Boushall Achievement Center participated in a Habitat for Humanity initiative, showing their spirit for National Volunteer Week and Global Youth Service Day. They built a picnic table, painted doors, and created recipes for a cookbook. They were even able to walk in a Habitat for Humanity home under construction.
Two Achievement Coaches, Ms. Cherelle and Ms. Felecia, currently volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and decided to organize the event for group of scholars. “We approached the scholars with the idea. It was great to see that instead of sleeping in on a Saturday they really wanted to get involved and try something new”, Cherelle states, “Global Youth Service Day was a success. Hopefully this will become an event that occurs every semester for Boushall scholars, and then maybe it will expand to all Higher Achievement Centers.”
Felecia believes that community service is essential to the success of our scholars as they transition to high school. Fond of powerful quotes, she likened Higher Achievement’s culture principle of collaboration to a Confucius’ quote: “He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.”
Upon returning from the trip, 8th grade scholar Dwayne was feeling motivated by the service day and asked, “Can we go volunteer again this weekend?” Felecia reflected on that moment stating,
He enjoyed that they [Habitat Staff] were proud of him and what he accomplished. He got to be a leader – building a picnic table with scholars and other volunteers. At first he was a little nervous, but he adapted to something new and unexpected. When other volunteers would ask where they were from, they would talk passionately about Higher Achievement.
After four years in Higher Achievement, the 8th grade scholars demonstrate what they have learned about social justice by giving back to their community. They exemplify what it means to be a Higher Achievement scholar.
Cherelle believes, “This truly shows the impact community service has on our scholars! We hope that these experiences help the scholars to be the change they wish to see in the world as Mahatma Gandhi once said!”
Join us in celebrating the tremendous hard work of our 8th grade scholars as they graduate from Higher Achievement at the Green Apple Awards! RSVP today!