Summer is a time for relaxing and having fun in the sun. For the Class of 2017, it will also be a time for giving back to the community.

For students entering the tenth grade at St. Paul Academy and Summit School, there is a service hours requirement. Every student must complete 12 hours of community service prior to the sophomore retreat in January. Many rising sophomores clock in their hours doing something they are truly passionate about.

Freshman Hannah Stanley plans to volunteer at the Como Zoo this summer. “I’ve always been really interested in animals and wanted a way to share that interest with others as well as extend my knowledge on the topic and Como Zoo gives you a lot of opportunities to do so,” Stanley said.

Her passion for animals translated into a unique, exciting volunteer choice. In fact, Stanley enjoys her her work at the Como Zoo so much that she plans to continue volunteering in the future, after her hours are completed. “Of course I! It sounds cliche but it’s one of my favorite activities,” Stanley said.

Some rising sophomores, like current freshman Kathryn Schmechel, have decided to complete their hours with an organization they’ve worked with before. This allows for a sense of familiarity during the volunteer hours. Schmechel has been working with Meals on Wheels for two summers now, and plans to complete her service hours this summer with the same organization.

“I am super excited to meet new people. I have already met some super interesting people delivering meals,” Schmechel said.

Freshman Ella Matticks also volunteers at a location that she is already familiar with. Her soccer club Keliix runs a program for younger players called Sampaku. All through the winter, she has been working with the kids in the Sampaku program and will continue throughout the summer.

“It’s awesome because the same kids come week to week and we all know each other which makes them more excited to play and learn about soccer,” Matticks said.

In addition to the activities that sophomores already knew they wanted to do, there are also some unexpected volunteer opportunities that come up. For freshman Jack Geller, this was the case.
“I was playing in a basketball league at the Jewish Community Center, and they asked me if I wanted to come back and be a counselor,” Geller said.

One of the goals of the volunteer hour requirement is that students will continue their volunteering afterwards, and many students do. “If I like [the camp counseling], I will definitely continue,” Geller said.

The SPA service requirement offers sophomores a unique opportunity to choose where they volunteer so that they can find something they are passionate about. Across the wide range of activities which future sophomores will complete, no matter what they choose, their experiences will be rewarding and exciting.