Kuemper students serve others

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
November 3, 2005

CARROLL - Students at Kuemper High School in Carroll participated in the school's second annual service day the afternoon of Oct. 19.

All of the Kuemper High School students, about 375 students, volunteered in the community helping people in need of an extra hand. The students were split into groups of about six or seven students by homeroom and grade level with an adult supervisor.

Carol Andersen, a teacher at Kuemper, along with the students in the Christian service class at Kuemper planned the service day. The students went out to help anyone who called in.

"We put announcements in all of the bulletins of the local churches," said Andersen. "We had it on the radio and in the newspaper so that anyone in the Carroll area that wanted something done, we did it for them.

Jobs that the students helped with included raking, painting, cleaning gutters, washing windows, cleaning storage rooms and any other projects requested by the committee or school.

"They did a lot of outside yard work winterizing people's homes - putting plastic on windows, moving furniture, painting the cemetery fence, cleaning the fire station. They were spread out all over town," said Andersen.

The service day began last year and they plan on continuing it in the future, noted Andersen.

"We thought it was a good tool to use to teach the kids that service isn't just something to talk about that you actually should do it," said Andersen. "This is a way to practice doing that. Having the whole student body do service empowers them because they get to see it making a big impact in a short amount of time."

Andersen explained that there was a bus of about 30 students that went to Breda to help clean up several yards. She commented that they would "attack a yard" and rake and clean the gutters in about 15 minutes. The students went from yard to yard doing this.

The students were able to reach out to people and help them with a job that may not have otherwise gotten done.

"It was a way for our kids to be able to give back to the community. We get a lot of support from the Carroll community," said Andersen. "It gives them the chance to see the rewards you get from helping someone else out. You don't always do things for monetary reward or a grade or for some other outside bonus. You can get a lot of rewards just from seeing how you have impacted someone else."

According to Melissa Sporrer, a Kuemper senior, a group of the girls went and helped a pregnant woman who was on bed rest. The woman had been on bed rest for 11 weeks and her husband had hurt his foot so he could not help with things around the house.

"We helped her wash windows, and we painted facia board," said Sporrer. "It felt great that we could help this couple when they were feeling overwhelmed with things to do. This makes a big difference in the community because so many Kuemper kids were out serving God."

Kuemper senior, Kayla Klocke, was one of the students who organized the groups of people and the jobs and locations they would go to. She also helped wash windows and paint at a couple's home.

"It's an awesome feeling to know that you've helped so many people in the community," said Klocke. Also, even though at times it's stressful, but in the end its really rewarding!"

Danielle Williams, also a senior at Kuemper, noted that she "had a great time helping make one family's life a little easier. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to use our talents to help others."

"I love being out in the community, helping and serving people," said Anne Greteman, a senior at Kuemper. "Service Day is always a fun day."

Dani Stipe, another senior, raked leaves at one house while others in her group washed windows.

"It was fun to help elderly people or people in need with projects they wouldn't get done otherwise," said Stipe. "It feels good to know we made a difference that day."