Harding students 'pay it forward' on day of service

MARION – About 1,000 students crowded into the Harding High School gym and joined a student choir in singing "We Are The World" at an assembly marking the end of the school's United Day of Service on Friday.

Dozens of students sitting in the bleachers swayed their arms to the rhythm while waving cellphone flashlights candle-style to the song, written 30 years ago to as a trumpet call to the world to unite to fight poverty in Africa.

The voices raised in song was both a fitting conclusion to a long day and a touching reminder that individual efforts multiplied by many could make a big noise.

But it was far from the brightest moment of the day for junior Michelle Houston.

Houston, a choir member, was one of those who fanned out across the city to participate in volunteer projects at area parks, schools, nursing homes and cemeteries for the second community service day.

"We went to Marion Point and Marion Nursing Home to sing songs for the residents there. We sang our fight song and a few solos, and they loved it," Houston said.

"Nobody really likes to go there, because it's not always a happy place. But you could see that the residents really appreciated it. I had a friend who noticed a woman sitting alone, just watching the performance, but off by herself. My friend took the intiative and reached out to her, and it made all the difference," she said.

"That's what this day should be all about: to reach out of your comfort zone and touch someone, help someone in a real way. When you see the sparkle in eyes of the residents, you know you've made a difference," Houston said.

Students raked mulch, washed dogs, picked up litter and read to elementary school students in an effort to give back to their community and to make a point about high school students in general.

"The idea is to pay it forward, like coach Woody Hayes expressed, and many before him," said Harding dean of students Todd Schneider, who called the United Day of Service the most rewarding day of the school year for him.

"You can't really repay anyone for the help you received along the way; you can only repay by paying forward, by helping others. We want to give back to the community. And we want to change a perception, an unfair one, about Harding kids and city kids in general. Many people see our kids in a negative light," said Schneider.

"We've got a so many good people here; we've got a lot of kids who care about this community. Today gives us a chance to show it."

Senior Win Adissem and sophomore Kierra Shaver spent the day reading with students in a crowded hallway outside classrooms at Taft Elementary School. The elementary school kids seemed to enjoy the time spent one on one with the big kids as they offered up their favorite storybooks to read together.

"This is where I went to elementary school, so I wanted to come back here today," said Adissem, who plans on majoring in chemistry in college. "I just wanted to show my appreciation for what they do here at Taft."

"I think it's an amazing idea to spend the day volunteering," Shaver said. "I love reading to children, love watching their faces as they listen and learn. And to volunteer shows you respect your community. It's not as bad as everyone says. I feel like we are helping solve our problems instead of just being negative."

The student volunteers received white United Day of Service T-shirts. Area businesses and restaurants gave discounts — on everything from chicken wings to ice cream — to students who wore their shirts into the establishments.

But the day wasn't about the swag for junior Trent Ramsey.

"I was a little nervous yesterday about going out into the community," said Ramsey, who was among a team cleaning up around the Palace Theatre.

"But it turned out great. Once you're out there, once you serve, you don't feel any negatives about the day."

jsmiller@gannett.com

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