Working with Kids!

April 23, 2010  
Filed under News

Many clubs around Ottawa High School have found many unique ways to help others. In fact, several of the clubs at OHS are dedicated to serving one way or another. Different clubs have different methods of helping out the community. The Recycling Club takes the liberty of keeping OHS green. They supply each of the classrooms with  recycling bins which they empty. Thanks to them, OHS’s carbon footprint has been reduced. Key Club is another club that has helped  the community. They are known for their service projects and giving to others.  However, there are some clubs and organizations who specialize in helping children.

One of the organizations dedicated to this service is the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program. Many students at OHS are involved in this program. As a participant, students apply to be involved, and are then matched up with a “little sister/brother” who is not as fortunate. Then, the student periodically visits their “little sister/brother” and do a fun activity with them, such as coloring or having a picnic!

Other organizations help out younger kids. YAC, also known as Youth Action Council, donates their time to the youngsters as well.

“We provide childcare for Lincoln Elementary and for Eckan Headstart. I enjoy doing this and like working with the kids because they can always put a smile on my face,” junior Amy Barnes said.

There are also organizations that do a “clinic” for kids to participate in. The Cytones usually have a kiddie clinic in the spring where they work with the kids to teach them a song and a dance. At the end of the day, they do a concert for their parents to show off their moves.  The kids enjoy being a “Cytone” for a day, and the Cytones also use this as a fund raiser. It benefits both parties.
“I was with the third and fourth graders, and I found it so rewarding to get to work with young developing musicians. It’s great to know that throughout clinic we are turning kids on to a new level of confidence, singing and dancing, simply because they love it,” junior Cytone Claire Shea said.
The Spirit Team puts on a similar clinic, and the kids get to perform at the half time show of a game, along with the high school cheerleaders.

All across the school, students are getting involved with children, and although they may not realize it, they could be changing a young child’s life just by taking the time to listen and teach them.

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Chelsea Jamison

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