Fifteen students will wear a silver cord at graduation as a result of completing a minimum of 200 hours of community service during their four years at OHS.
Their volunteer experiences were varied. Adianna Wasson spent the past nine years volunteering for the Omaha Zoo. The opportunity came about "purely by chance," she said. She drives 3.5 hours to volunteer at the zoo Friday-Sunday from April to October. The experience is absolutely connected to her future plans to become a project educator and provide animal care at the zoo. She plans to attend the University of Nebraska in Omaha, majoring in studio arts and plans to continue to volunteer at the zoo.
Lily Glen spent the majority of her time as a State of Iowa Youth Advisory Council (SIYAC) member. SIYAC was originally established in 2001 by Governor Tom Vilsack as a way to inform legislators and policymakers on issues important to youth. She volunteers 80 hours a year and has served on the council for three years. She believes it's important to give your time and has met a lot of new people through her experiences.
Student council president, Isabelle Cunningham, "ran, organized, and executed events" at OHS. She also volunteered at Heartland Humane, Blessings Soup Kitchen, and did outreach for the school orchestra program.
For three summers, Camp Invention not only provided a great volunteer opportunity for Bailey Johnson but also helped confirm his future vocation as a teacher. The experience provided leadership opportunities as well as a chance to meet new people.
Addison Ransom's favorite volunteer moment was serving Thanksgiving meals two years in a row. As a student council member, she also volunteered for a number of student activities, including blood drives. "It feels good to do something good for your community," she said.
Recipients and their hours of documented service include: Lorna Bauer, 220; Chloe Bradley, 218; Cailyn Burgess, 208; Emily Campbell, 213; Isabelle Cunningham, 200.5; Janelle Eskew, 207; Nardos Gebremedhin, 226.5; Lily Glen, 282.5; Bailey Johnson, 268.75; Taylor King, 201.5; Olivia Palen, 204.5; Addison Ransom, 202; Anikah Rath, 205.5; Adianna Wasson, 396; and Anna Wellings, 206.5.
