Seniors Kara Rickford, Katie Mongoven, Laura Marquez, Michelle David, and Emily Hallewell and junior Pooja Duleep take the short metro ride to Tenleytown to volunteer their time and talents at Janney Elementary School. These gators spend the day photocopying, cutting papers, and playing with the cute kids grades one to five. The warm atmosphere and well maintained campus welcome the Stone Ridge volunteers every other Wednesday to help out in any way they can. For Rickford (‘13) this means photocopying, laminating, and then carefully cutting out individual worksheets for her students.

On her last day, Rickford also spoke of how much she will miss coming to the quaint DC public school, and that she definitely plans on continuing her involvement in volunteerism long after she leaves the doors of Stone Ridge. Needless to say, the Janney staff and students are extremely grateful for the gator volunteers, almost to the same level that the Stone Ridge girls enjoy coming.

Each year groups of sophomores get the chance to experience what WARL does. The sophomores tour WARL’s facilities and learn the processes that the animals go through, from being accepted into the animal shelter to being rehabilitated and ready for adoption. If lucky and armed with iron stomachs, sometimes students will be able to watch a surgery. In their day of learning the sophomores gather knowledge about animal rights issues, volunteerism in that field, and how they as individuals can make the world a better place for a furry friend.

If given such an environment, Margaret Wroblewski, proud member of the class of 2013, will undoubtedly make the most of it. Pair her up with this group of underclassmen, and she amplifies a familiar atmosphere.

Care that comes naturally. That’s the best way to describe this eager-to-teach SAL. She is a motherly figure that cares for her audience. A truly capable guide that is passionate about what she does and that loves to share her knowledge; not only that, but she provides a stable and relaxed environment for her students.

Margaret enriches the childcare rotation with an interactive lesson plan, beginning with an icebreaker. Then she moves into the next part of the lesson, presenting a previously empty white board. She gives each freshman a dry-erase marker and says, draw yourself as a child. They go right to work. Making an iMovie stacks up as the last activity before lunch. While the freshmen spread out in groups of two, Margaret watches over them and helps them along.

Margaret’s position of the childcare SAL fits like a glove to her warm and caring personality. She is always eager to help and she knows exactly what to say.

Why did you choose to become a SAL?

Since freshmen year I have always wanted to be a SAL. As a freshmen I thought to myself that could be me leading the freshmen every other Wednesday. My grandparents who have passed away were music teachers. A part of me wanted to live out their teaching legacy. Several of my family members are teachers too.  I see why they love and enjoy teaching.

What is so interesting about your rotation?

My rotation is very interactive. When trying to come up with the lesson plans I wanted the freshmen to move around and interact with one another. I have one lesson plan where the freshmen portray the role of “bad” students. Then I select one of the freshmen to portray a teacher. The “teacher” then has to try and teach the bad students. The freshmen go a little crazy during this activity. One of them even tried to jump out the window! Even though the activity is silly I truly believe that they learn how hard and difficult it can be to be a teacher. A lot of students take for granted how much time and effort teachers spend on them. Teachers dedicate their lives to their kids.

Top Three things you had to do to prepare for this year?
1) Lesson plans
2) Public speaking
3) Learning how to be flexible and organized

Is being a SAL harder that going to a site everyday?

Yes. It is extremely difficult. Freshmen, Sophomore, and Junior year you did not have to worry about anything. If you see my on Wednesday morning I am a wreck. I am worried about the time, freshmen, space, ect. Being a SAL takes a lot of time and effort but in the end it is truly rewarding.

Best/Worst thing about teaching Freshmen?

BEST: When the freshmen at the end of the day come up to you and say they had a fun and great day. I had one important experience that I still remember. One of my activities for the freshmen is to have them draw themselves as a little kid on the board, so I did the same as an example. Then at the end of the day next to my awkward stick figure it said “Margaret Best Teacher”. It was very rewarding.

WORST: Awkward silences.

One of the more unconventional volunteer sites offered through the Social Action program is Bikes for the World. This organization sends bikes to peoples in countries who would otherwise not have that mode of transportation. “These bicycles provide affordable transport to individuals for use in getting to work and school, or to in providing health and education services to low-income rural people.” (bikesfortheworld.org)

Stone Ridge volunteers have been working with Bikes for the World for two years now, and has most recently been nominated for a Montgomery Serves Award because of this work. Yvette Hess of Bikes for the World wrote in her nomination letter,

“I am nominating this group not only because the program as a whole is amazing, but the work this particular group does for us is also nothing short of amazing. We hope that they take this experience and carry it with them throughout their lives. It brings a face to importance of recycling,reusing, AND volunteering. Bikes for the World is the nation’s largest bike recycling organization and we can only accomplish that through the help of groups like that of Stone Ridge.

For our younger volunteers I’ve seen the Bikes for the World experience change kids. They tend to like the grease and the tools and forget that what they are doing is ‘work’. I’ve seen shy kids open up once they are taught how to use a pedal wrench. Girls jump right in once they realize it’s not ‘just for boys’. It’s a ‘doing’ activity that reaches kids who are sometimes used to being left out because they aren’t ‘athletic enough’. What I’ve seen this volunteer experience do here and overseas is give kids confidence where they once had little or none.

The importance of having this group of girls tackling this sometimes greasy job AND taking on some of the more strenuous activities opens up the door to some of our other female volunteers showing them they too, can do this. I often find young girls and even some soccer moms tentative about volunteering with us, thinking they can’t do it. Once they see they can, and find out how much fun it is, they often turn out to be some of our hardest workers. The Stone Ridge girls are making a difference globally and mention the good they are doing overseas changing lives with bikes. What they may not fully realize is the impact they are having right here at home instilling confidence in other other women who will continue to do this work with us even after their class graduates and moves on to college.” -Yvette Hess

Eliana Fassihi’s ’13 interest in becoming a SAL was sparked when she was a freshmen. Although not an option anymore, Hospital and Healthcare was a rotation focused on health, wellness, and the medical world. Eliana is very focused on medicine and wants to major in medicine. So, while applying to be a SAL, she decided to lead Care and Concern for the Elderly wanting to use her interest and knowledge of medicine and care for the sick to teach freshmen about one of the most fragile stages of life. Although her interest does not match up exactly with her rotation Eliana was able to contribute a unique spin to a large and important topic.

What was your favorite Social Action rotation freshmen year?
“My favorite rotation freshman year was definitely the Hospital and Healthcare Rotation which unfortunately doesn’t exist anymore, probably because I’ve always been into Medicine and I think it’s really cool to talk about that kind of stuff! Plus we watched (an appropriate) clip from Grey’s Anatomy which I loved!”

Why did you choose to lead Care and Concern for the Elderly?
“I chose to lead Care and Concern for the Elderly because like I said I’m really into the Medical stuff so it seemed like the best rotation to bring medicine to the fore front and it would still be relevant.”

What’s the hardest part about being a SAL?
“The hardest part about being a sal for me would probably be just having patience. It’s so weird being on the other side of a classroom setting and through this whole process I’ve gained so much respect for teachers.”

Is it true that the SALs are like a cult?
“Honestly I guess the SALs are a “cult”, but minus all the creepy connotations that come along with that. Instead of long black robes, on Wednesdays we wear pink. But on a more serious note the SALs are actually a tight knit group and I’m honored to be one of them. They are probably the coolest 5 girls I’ve ever met and I love how close we’ve gotten as a group.”

The boys play a card game in a neighbor’s kitchen
Source: Alex Conrad

Over the past 2012 summer, Georgetown Prep’s rising seniors spent one week going to Ivanhoe, Virginia for service work. In the months before, all rising seniors had the choice of three different sites and about 15 of them were chosen for the Ivanhoe site. Their experience seemed to be the most unique of the three options. Like the regular residents of this quaint Ivanhoe community, the boys stayed in a humble residence, all sleeping in the same room; helping to immerse the boys in the culture and bond with their fellow classmates. In addition, they were able to cross paths with people that they might have never gotten the chance to meet. The boys were able to grow a stronger bond between their own relationships, reflect on it, and discover a new kind of community. Whether it was connecting with the Ivanhoe residents, sharing a piece of their life with new friends, or restoring old houses and facilities, the chosen Georgetown Prep students discovered a world outside of their own on a much deeper and unique level.
After the one-week trip, the students returned with a new perspective of the world, stronger relationships, and unforgettable memories. One volunteer even quoted, ”Service at Prep goes beyond helping someone in need. It allows us to know the true feeling of being a man for others. I will definitely pursue service in college because it helped me grow so much throughout high school.” The citizens of the community were extremely pleased and the boys left with a feeling of accomplishment, proving that this service trip will be one for the books.

DeChantel is a private, co-ed, first through eight grade independent school lcated on Old Georgetown Road. While walking up and down the hallways I got a first glimpse
into how the school is run and how the girls keep up. Since Ana and
Maggie had actually gone to St. Jane DeChantal, their return rivaled most
people’s pledge to never go back to their old school days. The girls
knew their way around the seemingly confusing hallways and most of the
teachers even remembered both Ana and Maggie, treating them with love, respect, and joy.

From cutting out crafts to grading homework to organizing class
folders these girls and myself had no free time. They worked busily
away on their various projects, only stopping to admire fine art in
the hallways. Wherever Ana, Maggie, and Courtney ventured they were
greeted by a warm hello and instant conversation from teachers. People
provided help when help was needed but for the most part they trusted
the work of the girls. It is almost like a family has developed
between the teachers, students, and volunteers which created a very happy atmosphere.

Although returning to an old, sometimes scary memory seems
unappealing these girls found away to make it a rewarding and
productive experience.

Unlike normal volunteers, Malaika and Ana have become great friends with the teachers they help. They make jokes and share many laughs, well acquainted in the community just across the lower school circle. Everyday the teachers thank Malaika and Ana graciously, make memories with them, and make their volunteering time even more worthwhile.

At a certain part of the day, as the clock ticks toward 3 pm, the lights dim and the blankets and soft music are presented. It is naptime, Malaika and Ana’s favorite part. All of the toddlers find their stuffed animals and curl up in their cots and blankets. While the toddlers are dozing off to sleep, Malaika and Ana are rubbing their backs, tucking them in, and making sure no scared toddler in the dark goes unhelped. This is the time of day that many can see the care Malaika and Ana have for the toddlers they work with, and the amount of dedication they have to making each and everyone happy.

Though Malaika and Ana may say they work with toddlers just like others at different schools, they possess a much deeper connection and love for their  site not only because the kids are cute, but because they truly find a home there.

Even though her trip was not until late June, Gosnell began preparing for her adventure in February of 2012. She met with other members of the traveling group once a month. She learned a few phrases in Guarani, the native language of Paraguay.

In addition to mentally preparing for her trip, Gosnell collected donations to bring with her. Stuffed into a duffle bag, she brought with her school, sports, and health supplies, including a football, frisbee, and hand sanitizer.

Gosnell’s first week in Paraguay was spent staying with a host family in Isla Pucu, a small town. While staying with her host family Gosnell worked at two separate soup kitchens specifically for children, called comedors. She also partook in a community clean up and worked in a local elementary school with third and fourth graders.

At the elementary school Gosnell taught classes about basic nutrition. Many of the children at the school do not get enough fruits and vegetables in their diet, which causing health complications for them.
In addition to her lessons on fruits and vegetables, Gosnell taught her classes how to garden using simple household items. Using milk cartons, sand, soil, water, and a few mandarin seeds, Gosnell instructed the children on how to grow a fruit tree. She explained to them that the seeds were too young right now, but once sprouted they could be moved to the school’s garden.

The next week Gosnell traveled to Asuncion to work with students at another local school, called San Jose. Every day during that week Gosnell and her fellow travelers would pack themselves into vans to drive to a barrio called Santa Ana.

There she saw a town in the worst conditions. Gosnell states,

“ Houses were just scraps of wood and tarps, pigs, chickens, cats, and dogs ran wild, streets were really cobblestone, the streets were flooded, the place smelled horrid, and people used handmade horse drawn carriages to travel around.”

The shock of the conditions these people were forced to live in actually made Gosnell cry on her first day. However, she quickly overcame the shock in order to do her service. With the main goal of fixing up the local community center in mind, Gosnell helped paint murals on the external walls, mend the flooded back yard, and helped out at a few Day care centers, all no bigger than room 380 on the third floor.

Because of her amazing experience Gosnell learned to be grateful for what she has. “I won the “birth lottery.” I have a house, an amazing education, and access to fresh water and food everyday.” She is a changed person because of her experience. She continues to share her story of service and hopes to return to Paraguay soon to continue changing the world through her social action.

Before we had even exited the plane a woman thanked us for coming, and the “thank you”’s did not stop there. Everywhere we went, everyone thanked us for coming and for serving their community, even if at the time we were just buying an ice cream or walking down Bourbon street. Everyone was thankful for our care because even though their city was hit 6 year before our visit, there was still a lot of work to be done and healing to occur.

By the time we began to do the service we were being so profusely thanked for I was afraid. Even though I worked with Habitat before, I had never done construction. Fortunately for me, the only difficulty surrounding our work was hitting the nail and not my fingers. My thumbs were sore, blisters were beginning to form, and all of us constantly had to stretch out our hands because of the extended time gripping the heavy hammers.

At the end of every day, two of us lead a reflection activity. For ours, Prianca (2013) and I asked everyone to create friendship bracelets. This would be an experience that we would all share for a long time, and it would only function well if we worked together and allowed each other to become braided into our lives, like the colored strings of our bracelets.

Throughout my time in New Orleans, people were thanking me for coming. The way they were so grateful was so normal for them, they said “thank you” the way I would say “hello”, but at the same time it was genuine. However I never got the chance to thank them. They gave me a space and opportunity to help and grow, to help those in need but are not needy. Their genuine gratitude only impelled me to want to return and continue my service.