As the School District in Pittsburg, KS launched a new policy for Freshmen about community service, there are some positive and negative effects to this matter. The importance of community service that the school has will impact students in the future to do community service. Community service is something that many students and adults do for their community or individuals without getting paid. 

Freshman Alivia Krantz shared her thoughts about the new policy for Freshman students. 

Krantz believes community service is “A way to help give back to your community.” Krantz said. “You can help those that are less fortunate than you, or if someone’s busy you can help them, like keeping track of their kids.”

Many students don’t have a future planned but being ready for your future and preparing slowly through school by doing community service, can do a lot for scholarships and applications for college. 

“I would recommend that students identify their career goals and passions and then try to find volunteer opportunities that are closely related to those,” Thomas said. “You also have to think outside of the box when trying to find community service. 

There are many ways to earn community service hours. For example, students can earn their service hours by joining a club, class or stuff outside of school that recognizes community service. 

Knowing the level of responsibility students have over their own future, reflects back on what Krantz said about community service and what people can learn from it. A big thing students will learn is the level of responsibility that they will take over on their years of going to school and serving their community.

Taking on this type of responsibility takes time and effort, and most importantly, courage. Counselor Gina Ulbrich, talks about her thoughts of community service and ways it could help students improve their hours if they’re finding ways to get service hours.

“Join a club that has Community Service opportunities embedded within what they do on a normal basis,” Ulbrich said. “If you belong to a church, there are often opportunities through church. The Humane Society is always looking for people to keep the animals company, and that would also count!”

Opportunities through your community helps even when you don’t realize. Caring for dogs and volunteering at church counts not only towards hours but to those who need it the most. Even keeping company for the dogs at the shelter could help give back to the community. 

Not only are there important life aspects that come with serving the community, but there are always ways we can serve to help individuals with mental issues. 

Ulbrich explains, “Having fun, getting to know other people in the community and making your surrounding area better!”

There are many ways community service can improve mental health. Having fun and interacting with the community and being surrounded in areas where there are similar mindsets that think alike. 

As a result, serving the community could help in so many ways, not only physically but also mentally by offering new opportunities and opening new doors in life that become unexpected. 

Thomas expresses that there is a world with people who need help, when we drop selfishness and ego-driven desires to help those in need within the community. 

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Thomas said.