By Charlize Coviello, ’29

Staff Writer

Community service is an action, performance, or a “hands-on” activity by an individual or group without compensation, whose effort will directly benefit others. Taking part in community service activities are a great way to both connect with and benefit your community.

At Hanover High School, students are required to perform 10 hours of community service per year for a total of 40 hours before graduation. In this way, students remain active in their community for all four years. However, students interested in applying for membership in the National Honor Society are required to have 40 hours by the beginning of junior year. NHS is an organization that highlights academics, leadership, service and character and is a great way for motivated students to give back to their community. Whether students are aiming for NHS or just trying to meet the yearly service requirement, there are many clubs that can help.

One way HHS students can serve their community is by going to Dirty Works, a gardening and sustainability club run by Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Curley. Dirty Works meets every Thursday after school from 2:30-3:30 in room 110. Students who attend meetings recycle old K cups from staff coffee machines, plant and maintain the courtyard gardens, and make HHS look more beautiful. Every session includes one hour of community service. If you are interested in Dirty Works, contact Mrs. Curtis at kcurtis@hanoverschools.org or just show up!

Another option is to join Lifesavers Club, which holds blood drives to provide the Red Cross and Mass General Hospital with much-needed supplies. The club also holds food, clothing and toiletry drives to benefit community organizations that serve those in need. Volunteering for these events counts as community service. It’s run by Nurse Nee and Mrs. LeVangie, who you can see in the nurse’s office for more information.

The focus of Green Team is to educate the school community about recycling in the classroom and at home. Members meet after school on Wednesdays to empty recycling bins around the school to lessen the trash that we produce. You receive community service every time you help. The club is run by Ms. Byron in Guidance; email kbyron@hanoverschools.org to learn more.

Outreach Club provides opportunities for students to brighten the days of the elderly citizens, veterans, women in shelters, homeless people, and more. This club typically meets on Tuesdays at 7:20 once or twice a month in the library. Some recent things done by this club were bingo nights, Valentines and Easter care packages for the Meals on Wheels program, and math nights at Center and Cedar School. The club is run by Mrs. Parry and Natalie Frank, who you can reach at rparry@hanoverschools.org and nfrank26@hanoverstudents.org.

Tomorrow’s Teachers is a club designed to help students explore a career in education. By providing students with a realistic understanding of teaching, the club encourages students to think seriously about a future career. By joining this club, you can volunteer for opportunities to work with children, along with receiving community service. You can email advisor Mrs. Abban to learn more at dabban@hanoverschools.org.

The Eco Club is a group that enhances students’ knowledge on climate change, sustainability and environmental issues. The club focuses on environmental causes important to members, works to spread awareness in our school, hosts fundraisers and helps at local beach and town cleanups. Contact Mr. Patch for more info at mpatch@hanoverschools.org.

Be Better Movement helps promote a positive and inclusive school environment for all students. It meets every other Friday morning and performs occasional community service like greeting students at the other schools and holding special events. It is run by Mrs. Byron, who can be reached at kbyron@hanoverschools.org.

Animal Care Club meets one Thursday a month after school in room 305 to plan animal fundraisers and volunteer opportunities. This month, the club is running a holiday pet drive for Buddy and Friends in Pembroke. They will have more volunteer opportunities in the new year. If you want to join, email advisor Mrs. Hughes at ahughes@hanoverschools.org or student advisor Audrey Martin at amartin27@hanoverstudents.org.

Finally, Mrs. Foster in the main office sometimes has info on community service possibilities. Check in with her and remember to always listen to announcements in the mornings as well about new community service opportunities!

Be sure to check out my next article on why hair gets more prone to be affected by static in the winter time!