VAUGHAN SERVICE SQUAD IS READY FOR MORE

BY J. RENEE CUNNINGHAM, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING SPECIALIST

VAUGHAN ELEMENTARY IS BUILDING the next generation of servant leaders through the Service Squad. This club focused on community service is composed of 5-6 students in grades first through sixth.

Laura Nguyen, GATE Academy first-grade teacher, started the club to “inspire [students] to be servant leaders outside of school and for years after they leave Vaughan.” A wonderfully lofty objective that more than 30 students work to achieve.

The students’ responsibilities were not given nor taken lightly. Ms. Nguyen requires students to apply and receive a teacher’s recommendation to be considered for membership. Students admitted into the Squad commit to participate every year until they leave Vaughan Elementary. Since this is a long-term commitment, Ms. Nguyen requires each child to seriously think before applying. One of the goals of the club is to keep a core service group together and add new first graders each year that will be mentored by existing members. Their mission while serving on the squad is simple - find ways to serve in your home, school, and community.

Once accepted into the club, Ms. Nguyen meets with the Squad once a month after school. She facilitates these brainstorming sessions by guiding students to determine when and where they can serve. Club members work together to complete service projects that may occur during the day, after school or on weekends.

There is an extensive list of projects these budding public servants have successfully completed. Past projects include creating breakfast bags for the homeless at Austin Street Shelter, collecting blankets for patients at Children’s Hospital, making light catchers and hot cocoa gift bags for Victoria Gardens Nursing Home, writing encouraging notes for teachers at Vaughan, assisting with Open House projects for campus teachers, coordinating a school-wide effort to make valentines and gifts for veterans at the Clyde W. Cosper Veterans Home in Bonham Texas and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dallas, as well as assisting with Allen High School’s Love Week promotion by making signs for Spirit and Dollar Days.

These young learners are developing the valuable lifelong lesson that small acts, when multiplied by millions of people (yes, even little ones), can transform the world. This service lesson is a powerful seed being planted in the hearts and minds of our growing Eagles, preparing them to blossom into excellent, future ready, empowered learners capable of soaring well beyond any hopes and expectations.