— I want it to be that there are all different ways to give back. My overarching goal for service week is that students will come away with an appreciation of the value of volunteerism and an understanding that volunteers are the lifeblood of all non-profit organizations, and that there are many kinds of volunteer jobs and ways to volunteer. I want them to see that there are organizations that need help that run the gamut from the arts to the environment and from homelessness to education.” The eighth graders described their days working at a daycare center for children of migrant workers as “heart warming, bittersweet, fun filled, eye opening, energizing, humbling, and rewarding,” according to their chaperones. GUS students spent a morning cleaning the center and helping out in classrooms, and entertained the children with a few songs from their upcoming musical, Annie, Jr. In the afternoon, the GUS eighth graders helped the older daycare students with homework.
Each night, tired from hours of work and activity, students and adults came together to reflect on their day. “We would ask, what was your high and what was your surprise of the day?” Barton explains. “Then, we would expand on what someone said.” One of the guides from Appleseed also asked them to
consider, “What was a life lesson of the day? Where is an area you’ve been challenged by this trip? How did you or how can you overcome this? What are you grateful for today?” Although they were weary, these questions ignited the students and they all participated, according to Barton. They wanted to put
15 Years of Service GUS challenges students to make a difference in the world around them. The weeklong eighth grade service trip provides an eye-opening experience that changes the way our young people view service, the world around them, and themselves.
First full 8th grade trip. NPH Honduras; New Orleans, LA for post-Katrina service with Southern Mutual Help Association (SMHA)
2005
2006
2007
NPH Honduras; New Orleans, LA (SMHA); GUS starts to support student from NPH Honduras
2008
2009
Whole class to Appalachia
2010
2011 NPH Honduras; Appalachia
Upper school Spanish students to Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH) home for children in Honduras 10 The Tartan Spring/Summer 2019
NPH Honduras; New Orleans, LA (SMHA)
NPH Honduras; New Orleans, LA (SMHA)
