GEAR UP Ambassadors, led by junior Meghan Cantu, are coordinating a TAP Drive through December 10 at OHS.
The group is seeking donations of boxes of tampons and pads which will be distributed to low-income students in need of the personal hygiene items. Currently single items can be picked up in the nurse's office and Teen Health. Cantu wanted to ensure students had what they needed after school and on weekends. Not having access to sanitary hygiene items can negatively impact a girl's self worth and confidence, and even impact their school attendance and performance, according to Cantu. Drop off boxes are located in several locations around the school and also at the United Way office.
"This service-learning project has been so good for the students," said Barb Hanson, GEAR UP coordinator. "They have had to work as a group with diverse backgrounds and ideas to formulate a plan to execute this program. Then, they divided up the duties and communicated as a team to ensure this work is successful." The TAP Drive is also helping participants develop leadership, communication, and soft skills such as sending an email or drafting a professional letter.
