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First year of Silver Cord Service students graduate at Wauzeka-Steuben

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Silver Cord Service Program participants Jadyn Sander (left), and Sophia Sander pose with District Administrator Michael Garrow. (Photo by Addison Mumm)

By Addison Mumm

Wauzeka-Steuben High School is pushing for its student body to be more involved in the community. The Silver Cord Service Program encourages students to go above and beyond with their volunteer hours. With a set goal of hours of volunteering and community service, students are honored with a silver cord upon graduation if they complete the minimum hours.

In the transition years to come for this program, the class of 2015 is expected to have a total of 70 hours of service, class of 2016 needs to have 110 hours, class of 2017 needs to have 150 and class of 2018 and beyond will have the minimum of 160 hours. Starting after the completion of eighth grade, students can start keeping track of their volunteer hours.

Hours are logged and submitted to administration. By Sept. 1, a required 80 hours must be completed and handed in by the students who wish to finish this program. By May 1 of the school year, seniors must hand in their final log with the full amount of hours to receive the silver cord and recognition at graduation.

Wauzeka-Steuben District Administrator Michael Garrow introduced this program to the school district this year, and already students are taking advantage of this opportunity. Garrow originally created this program years ago at Mt. Horeb High School. A group of students, administration, community members and faculty worked together to create this program.

As Garrow changed from the Mt. Horeb school district to Middleton, then to Wauzeka, he shared and presented the program to each community and district. Adapting to each community taking into consideration size, volunteering opportunities and interest, the Silver Cord Service Program encourages and rewards students for their selfless actions.

Garrow explained the program is completely voluntary. Students are given the choice to participate, unlike some other school programs which force students to partake and not truly enjoy the experience.

“The positives that come from [the Silver Cord Service Program],” said Garrow, “put students in a positive light in the community because the students want to help. [The program] also increases students’ skills. Plus it’s a resume builder.”

Garrow explained, in the two years he has been at Wauzeka-Steuben he has seen an increase in student action outside of school.

Juniors Sophia Sander and Jadyn Sander are both partaking in the journey to complete this program. The Sander cousins stated they have seen a lot more student engagement in the community since this program has been offered.

So far Sophia has completed 16 hours of volunteering outside of her school activities. Jadyn has completed 104 hours of service. Some of their activities have included food drives, mission trips, selling raffle tickets, baby sitting/watching children and working at sporting events.

A list of possible services students can use toward their total hours is provided on the Wauzeka-Steuben school’s website as well as the guidelines and rules for completing this program.

“You know you are helping out and that feels good. Getting recognized for your hard-work feels good too,” said Jadyn.

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