July 26, 2013
Clayton Pioneer • www.claytonpioneer.com
Page 9
Summer volunteers reap benefits year-round For many students, summer is a refuge from the everyday stresses of the classroom. No school, pleasant weather and long sought-after vacations provide kids and teens with continuous days of relaxation and fun. Among students, it is common to hear the expression, “you know you’re having a great summer when you don’t even know the date.” In contrast, there are numerous teenagers spending their summer days working part-time to earn some personal spending cash or gas money. But even if you don’t get paid, volunteer and community service can be even as valuable. Working non-profit is not only a great way to give back to the community, it provides students with extra benefits. For those who wish to attend a college with low acceptance rates
and find themselves matching numerous others in academic performance, volunteer work and community service might tip the scales in their favor. A growing number of universities are even requiring a form of community service. Typically, the stress of the school year alone is enough for most students, leaving no free time to help out in the community. This is why many collegebound students choose to volunteer during summer vacation – and it is apparent that many teens in our community are doing just that. One recent example was at the recent Clayton Family Fair, held on June 29. There, families gathered to participate in a variety of activities and games. Booths arranged around the Grove and along Main Street offered amusements for chil-
dren like bubble blowing, hulahoop contests, face painting and balloon animals. There were even free CPR and AED training available to anyone, thanks to Clayton Community Response Team. While not only being a successful replacement for the city’s family New Year’s Eve celebration, the event was entirely run by volunteers. They donated their time and withstood tripledigit temperatures in order to keep their commitment and benefit the community. What’s more, many of the volunteers were students from local schools. In fact, Emma Hall, who coordinated and organized the entire event, is a Clayton Valley Charter High School student. While the students who spent their Saturday evening downtown worked without immediate pay, they will reap the
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CVCHS REPORTER benefit later in life. Fortunately, the Clayton community is brimming with young adults who are not only helping the city, but also properly equipping themselves for the future. For all the other teens who are passively watching their summer go by, they are missing the perfect opportunity to gain an advantage on the growing college competition – not to mention doing something good in their town.
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Robbie Parker is a junior at Clayton Valley Charter High School. Send comments to Robbie@claytonpioneer.com
Sparks fly in upbeat teen love story
EMILY YORK
TEEN READS
“Perfect Chemistry” by Simone Elkeles – the first book in a three-book series – is similar to “Romeo and Juliet” by Shakespeare. If you’re into upbeat, stay-up-at-night love stories, “Perfect Chemistry” is the answer. When head cheerleader Brittany Ellis and troublemaker Alex Fuentes start their senior year at Fairfield High School, they soon figure out that they have to sit next to each other all
year in chemistry. They can’t stand each other. But when they are told that they have to do an important assignment together, they decide to put all of their differences aside and get it over with. But the more time they spend with each other, the more they’re bonding. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with all of his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he doesn’t think anything of it. But soon
Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with actual problems, and suddenly the foolish bet he made turns into something much more. In this wistful story, will the young couple be able to overcome the stereotypes and barriers that stand in their way of being happy together? Emily York is a freshman at CVCHS. She loves to read and hopes her reviews will keep teens reading through the summer.
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