written by Shannon Bogen – Middle School Teacher and Darilyn Hackett – NELA Principal
The Lakeside School, an independent coeducational school in Seattle, recently teamed up with Pasco’s NELA leadership academy for three days of community outreach. Together, 13 NELA students and 15 Lakeside students collaborated at the 2nd Harvest Food Bank on October 3rd, packaging beans and bread for distribution at the Pasco Seventh Day Adventist church on October 4th.
Working alongside volunteers, they formed a distribution line, loading wagons with beans, fruit, ‘ugly produce,’ and canned goods for those in long lines on foot or in cars. Stan, a retired civil engineer and the volunteer coordinator, commended their hard work, saying they were the most diligent young volunteers he’d seen.
Here were some of the students’ takeaways on food insecurity and sustainability:
- “You never know what a person is going through that led them to these lines.”- John Win
- “I am glad we were able to meet a need, today!”
- “Now that people have been served, they in turn will be able to serve and show kindness to others.”-Aiden.
- “The effect on society is people will help other people.”-William
“Nearing the end of this trip, we concluded that it was much more satisfying than we first expected. We all had so much fun and experienced things that we might have never been able to experience. of us wanted to really go home and instead wanted to stay even longer. This trip was a great experience for all 18 of us.”
– Lakeside Student
They believed that serving would inspire others to do the same and acknowledged the impact on health and community building.
The students also created an art mural at 2nd Harvest, hiked through Wallula Wildlife Refuge to appreciate some of our area’s flora and fauna, and engaged in activities fostering connections. The experience nurtured fellowship, spiritual growth, and curiosity. It was an uplifting and enriching week.
The reason why this collaboration is so important is because our students are so very much alike, and they all need to realize that! Despite the differences within both groups—as well as the very apparent differences between the two groups—these are all kids with curiosity, uncertainty, and the desire to connect. The world would be a kinder, more respectful, and more peaceful place if we could all realize—as these students did—that even with our wonderful diversity there can be understanding, cooperation, and friendship. The days spent together were that of a partnership—a partnership in which the two schools merged in service to others and in connection with each other and creation.
