Hyde Park Middle School students serve Austin

By Anne DeVries & Alexa McGlathery

In December 2022, Hyde Park Middle School (HPMS) held its annual Students in Service Week (SIS). The focused efforts of the week built a spirit of the community during a season of giving and gratitude. Students raised funds for seven different Austin charities through a series of volunteer works, including bake sales and collection efforts.

The origin of SIS Week at HPMS began in 2018 when Middle School Counselor Debbie Pakes and her daughter Nadia Pakes introduced a service group to the girls at HPMS. Nadia was adopted from an orphanage in Russia and strongly desired to give back, so in 7th grade, Nadia and her mother created S.H.A.R.E., Spreading Hope And Reaching Everyone.

Due to overwhelming interest, a High School chapter of S.H.A.R.E. was established at Hyde Park High School. Nadia, now 27, is actively engaged as a speaker and participant in both SIS and S.H.A.R.E.

During the annual service week, S.H.A.R.E. is fully responsible for orchestrating Monday & Friday (working, collecting, and bringing baked goods) alongside other Hyde Park students.

The momentum of SIS, starting with the formation of S.H.A.R.E., inspired other groups within the HPMS to join forces for an entire week of service. As an annual event, the Hyde Park National Junior Honor Society, the Hyde Park Student Ambassadors, and the 8th Grade Leadership Organization unite with S.H.A.R.E. to orchestrate charitable activities.

The student body’s engagement towards service provides camaraderie for HP students. S.H.A.R.E. president Charlotte Cone stated that SIS week “really impacted students at HPMS because we worked together for a shared mission. It always feels good to help others, and it is fun when you do it alongside your friends.”

The students chose to serve charities that focus on the safety of children, families, and animals. The collection campaign and charitable activities resulted in the procurement of over 200 toys for Austin’s Blue Santa program, 600 pounds of canned food for Hope Food Pantry, 150 bags of dog food for Paws of Austin, 300 handwritten Christmas cards to Dell Children’s Hospital, and $1300 to be shared between Ronald McDonald House Charities, Helping Hand Home for Children, and Partnerships for Children.

Regarding the week-long service project, 8th-grade student and S.H.A.R.E. Historian Avery Herzog commented, “My favorite part of SIS was seeing all the smiles students and teachers gave each other when they worked the bake sale or brought in toys. All of us knew we were working for a great cause, and it brought us together.”

Hyde Park Schools is a Christ-centered, college preparatory school in Austin serving 4K through 12thGrade students. In keeping with its heritage of academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment, over 99% of all Hyde Park Schools graduates go on to higher education. For more information about Hyde Park School, please visit www. hp-schools.org.

West Austin Teen Produces PSA on Underage Drinking

By Anne DeVries

Inspired by previous experience as a young actress and a passion for cautioning young people about the hazards of drinking, 16-year-old Alexa McGlathery decided to launch a campaign about the dangers of underage drinking. “Know the Facts,” a public service announcement (PSA) that will air on prime-time TV in Austin this summer, was entirely written, cast, produced, and directed by the ambitious West Austin teen.

McGlathery has been a working actress since 2015 and has starred in numerous TV shows, commercials, and web series. One of her most impactful experiences was a publicly funded series by the state of Utah about the dangers of drinking at the age of 15. Currently an 11th grader at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy (SMCA), she actively participates in the music program, competitive lacrosse, and TAPPS theatrical competition.

As a lead singer and bass player in numerous bands at SMCA, she is no stranger to the performing arts and has captured the attention of anyone who has attended an SMCA music show. Her vibrant personality, talent, and energy are notable, as is her commitment to reaching and cautioning young people on decision-making when faced with the temptation of consuming alcohol.

The PSA, filmed on January 12th at Aduro Studios, was completed with the help of Bennett Creative, LLC. Andrew Bennett, the production company owner, worked behind the camera to assist McGlathery as director.

Castmates Oliver Mann, Annabelle Judson, and Jordan Middlebrook, recruited by McGlathery, are friends and students of local high schools in West Austin.

The filmed scene for the commercial features a teenage girl (played by McGlathery) contemplating her inner thoughts as a boy (played by Mann) hands her a red solo cup at a party. Surrounded by her friends, flashing lights, and booming music, the young girl ponders, taking the cup or refusing. As she considers her response, statistics appear across the screen about how weight can affect blood alcohol levels. The scene continues with light effects and music, culminating in the teenage girl refusing the offered drink.

Oliver Mann, a Senior at SMCA who plays the teenage boy role, was happy to help his friend in her endeavors. When asked why he agreed to help, he stated, “this was my first time in a production like this, and I learned so much. I’m glad the PSA has a positive message and relates to us teens.”

McGlathery’s mission is admirable, and she appreciates the support of local businesses that have contributed funds to support her project. Alexa stated, “Without the help of local Austin businesses willing to donate to support my vision, this project could never have turned into reality.”

Alexa still needs contributions toward final film editing and production costs before the commercial’s TV release early this summer.

A donation of $100 from any business will make them a

“commercial sponsor” and earn film credit at the end of the PSA. Smaller donations are also appreciated. Contact www. knowthefactspsa.com to donate, become a sponsor, and learn more information about the “Know the Facts” campaign.