High school to create volunteer directory.

“What the present generation wants is what all generations have always wanted — a meaning, a sense of what the world and life are — a chance to strive for some sort of order.”

— Sahl Alinsky, “Rules for Radicals”

In Cindy Powell’s senior government class at Vashon High School, students learn that participation in a society means making a positive contribution to the quality of life and standard of living of other members of society. Democratic participation is examined, and students learn that it is not limited to political events in the nations’ capital; it is also carried out daily by individuals in their community.

An important component of the class, and for graduation from the high school, is completion of a minimum of 25 hours of community service for a specific nonprofit agency or endeavor. Students are permitted to complete their service project either during the summer between junior and senior school years or during their senior academic year.

This summer, Vashon High School (VHS) is pleased that students will contribute their time by building community projects in Latin America through the Amigos Program, by interning at summer camps throughout the Northwest, by completing rigorous Eagle Scout projects and by interning in marine biology at the Seattle Aquarium.

To help students make that all-important link to a productive volunteer placement, the Career Center at VHS is creating a directory of local opportunities. Specifically, we are seeking assignments that:

• Give students the opportunity to actively participate in the betterment of their community;

• Teach students that individual as well as group actions can result in a better quality of life for others;

• Encourage students to actively involve themselves in social and political issues of their choosing;

• Provide a hands-on experience that will apply to their work world in the future;

• Help students understand that their skills, knowledge, energy and devotion are wanted, needed and appreciated by others;

• Offer appropriate training and ongoing supervision for the youth volunteer;

• Provide a nimble and supportive structure that is open to fresh and energetic ideas.

I encourage you to partner with colleagues in your organization, agency or project to create a youth position that provides meaningful, purposeful work and to provide the mentorship and guidance structure necessary to create a win-win for all.

To have your volunteer positions included in the VHS directory, please write a short job description along with a contact name and phone and/or e-mail address and e-mail to MJ Hartwell at mhartwell@vashonsd.org or call me at 463-9171 ext. 132.

Thank you for your support of our students.

— MJ Hartwell is in her first year as a career specialist at Vashon High School. She has worked with mentoring, youth development and school/community partnerships for 15 years and is a licensed mental health counselor.