Seniors at IHS are now required to have a minimum of five community service hours completed by May 1  in order to graduate on time. 

Community service has always been encouraged in the past, but it has now turned into a requirement. Several students are worried about how they are going to execute these hours, while others already have theirs done. IHS has provided several opportunities for students to get their hours finalized, as well as regular check-ins from teachers and staff members to see where students are and what their plan is. 

On February 21, IHS held a community service fair called “Volunteers Have Hearts.” This was done with the help of Mrs. Juart, Mr. Brocious, Mr. Perkovich, Mrs. Marusa, Mrs. Manning, and Mr. Johnson. At this fair, students were given the opportunity to talk to several local organizations that offer community service. Some of these places included the YMCA, Chevy Chase Community Center, Four Footed Friends, Indiana Fire Association, and Salvation Army of Indiana.

Senior Cherise Milner commented, “At first I didn’t like the idea of having to do community service hours to graduate, but then I realized it is a great feeling to help others out.” Senior Deven Buterbaugh contradicted this by stating, “I don’t think it’s really considered community service if it’s required because you’re not wanting to do it, you’re just doing it because you have to.”

Five hours may seem like a lot to some students, but senior Karmyn Smith expressed, “I think five hours is just enough, if it was more, it would be too much.” Milner announced, “I think it’s the perfect amount of hours because we get to help others without expecting something in return.”

Community service can be done by participating in numerous acts. Things such as group work, leadership activities, indoor/outdoor activities, and school activities could all be done in the form of better helping the community. Smith voiced, “I volunteered for the pee-wee football concession and ticket stand to get my hours.” Milner added, “I did different things to help my school like decorating for homecoming, Christmas, and setting up for other dances.”

Although this was a sudden change to the graduation requirements for seniors, with all of the opportunities given to them, they should have no problem completing their hours on time. As students achieve their hours, they record them in a log. This log once filled out with what you did, and for how long, is signed, then gets turned in to the CCER advisor.