Peer Leaders Get the Job Done: United Way Day of Caring
by Madison Werner, Health Assistant Class of 2024 (Neshannock)
Photo Credits ~ Aailyah Mathis, Computer & Office Technology Class of 2024 (New Castle)
Putting others before oneself is one of the most unnatural human functions. This innate obstacle did not deter LCCTC’S Peer Leaders from devoting their day to participating in the United Way’s Day of Caring community service event.
On September 8th, eighteen eager Peer Leaders congregated with dozens of other sponsoring organizations, high school students, and community members at Cascade Park to commune over a delicious breakfast of Dunkin Donuts & homemade food made by volunteers, and to lay out goals for the day. While participants prepared for the afternoon’s grind, encouraging speeches were made (one by Mayor Fry, himself!) and lovely guitar and singing were shared by Mr. John Young, Mr. Doug McItrot, Mr. David M. Young Sr., and others.
Following many pictures taken to mark the event, the Peer Leaders were split into two teams – one led by Mr. Ovial, and the other by Mrs. Pasterik. Team One migrated to east New Castle where DON Services instructed the kids in compost mixing, garden harvesting, and street cleanup to tidy up the East Side community garden. After a few hours of diligent labor, Bible Way Church of God in Christ graciously opened its doors for restroom use while DON Services provided the hard workers with a seemingly endless supply of pizza and drinks for lunch. Great fun was had while the groups got to know each other during the makeshift picnic.
Group Two was equally occupied at the South side community gardens where the second band of DON Services members partnered with the Peer Leaders to garden, preserve the beds for winter, clean up the creek, and tidy up the street which resulted in a significant improvement in appearance and safety from just a few hours earlier. Just when the Peer Leaders could labor no more, members of DON Services swooped in with pizza and refreshments for the hard-working, thankful kids who went back to school with a full belly and a great sense of accomplishment, glad for yet another opportunity to give back to their community.
We could not be more proud of our Peer Leadership team for stepping up as role models in both our community and school, always putting their best foot forward and getting the job done.
Peer Leaders who were able to participate in this first event of the year include seniors Angel Keller (VA, NC), Clarysa Grimes (HA, EC), Elia McKnight (EO, LHS), Katie Tillia (CA, EC), Lane Madras (CA, SHS), Tia Bowser (Wel, NC), Tristan Queener (CA, NC), William Haeberle (EO, NC), & Brady Zook (Wel, NC). Junior members include Aailyah Mathis (COT, NC), Andrew Mort (EO, NC), Dan Mayer-Tedrow (Wel, EC), Jolena Street (VA, EC), Joy Hudspath (HA, EC), Kirk Derrow (AT, MHS), Lexy Clingensmith (RT, UHS), Lorena Boice (VA, UHS), Madison Werner (HA, NHS), and Samantha Shultz (VA, LHS).