Missing: Ciara Jones
For these 23 students, the pandemic didn't impact their desire or ability to complete at least 200 hours of community service during their high school career. The types of community service is as diverse as this group of seniors. Emma Palen worked at concession stands, did babysitting and volunteered with Student Council. Emma Weilbrenner coached a middle school volleyball team for two years. Nathan Campbell, Hayden Short, and Gatlin Menninga participated in mission trips to Mexico with their churches.
Three seniors volunteered over 300 hours each to earn their Silver Cord. Juventino Leyva Garcia earned 310 hours; Bennett Rogers, 319.5; and Josie Young, 362.
Young completed most of her volunteer hours by working with students in academic fields such as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). She mentored teams for First Lego League at Liberty Elementary School and served as a camp counselor at Camp Invention, where she helped students dive into their creative side and design cool inventions that can solve real world problems. She participated in Silver Cord because it was something she could excel at. "I loved spending time with students and being around them did not even feel like volunteer work," she said. The experience taught her the importance of giving back. "The community needs people more than we think, so being able to help in any way is so fulfilling," she said. "I’m so glad that I chose to spend high school working toward my Silver Cord and I hope that many students find this as fulfilling as I did!"
Leyva Garcia volunteered in Reading Buddies, a Latino festival at Wilson, and with United Way. "I wanted to do Silver Cord because I felt like it was a great way to be involved in the community," he said. "Silver Cord had a huge impact on my personality because I got to be more involved with other people and the community."
Rogers was active in her church, volunteering in the nursery and on worship team.
Silver Cord recipients for 2021 with hours completed include: Naily Alvarenga, 231; Joaly Andrade, 208; Nathan Campbell, 205.75; Meghan Coulter, 208.25; Mariana Duran Lopez, 264.5; Loren Egbert, 206; Ava Green, 258.5; Anne Guest, 234.75; Ciara Jones, 262; Zoey Jones, 213; Gabriela Garcia Medina, 236; Juventino Leyva Garcia, 310; Gatlin Menninga, 213; Emma Palm, 208.5; Jose Rivera, 210; Bennett Rogers, 319.5; Hayden Short, 209; Braydon Songer, 200; Kelsie Swope, 282; Josie Vonderhaar, 205; Emma Weilbrenner, 213.75; Kinsey Wheeler, 200; and Josie Young, 362.
