You know what happens when Red Lodge High School students volunteer and help out the community? A ton! This semester, students have given their time to play music, shovel sidewalks, assist in public programs at the library, coach younger kids, haul pet food, represent at leadership conferences, share their ideas with local boards, build a green house, play act for the local EMS trainings, decorate our town with flags and lights, support the Fun Run, wax skis, and so much more! Our youth step up to make positive impacts in our community. So we say THANK YOU and celebrate their success!
Last week, Red Lodge Pizza Co, sponsored a pizza party at the high school to celebrate nearly 3,700 volunteer hours and you can bet they are not even close to done!
It is not all about hours students serve, but also what they choose to. During this celebration, Travis McKenney and Hannah Johnson were recognized with the Principals Choice Award. This acknowledges students that seem to be doing something a little different in the Community. With so many students giving their time this is a difficult choice to make.
Travis McKenney has been involved in community service for all four years. This time he used some of his amazing orator skills to present in the Imagine Red Lodge brainstorming and planning sessions. He used his insight as a performing artist and brought the youth voice to the table AND then presented his group’s ideas to a large group of 50 citizens on the fly.
Hannah Johnson has also been an involved volunteer throughout her high school career. She has been involved in a little bit of everything, from steering committees and making mailers for fundraisers, inventory of the Broadway flags and loads of school events. Recently, Hannah has taken up refereeing table top volleyball for local seniors. The Willows and Cedar Wood Villa residents have been playing a fast game of table top beach volley ball on Wednesdays and Hannah has been stepping in to keep score. Such a cool intergenerational way to volunteer.
Thank you to the Red Lodge High School students for working hard and making our community brighter through service. If you are interested in the Future of Montana Volunteer Corps program or have some volunteer opportunities of your own, contact Rue at the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation at 406-446-2820, stop by 122 S Hauser Ave, or email youth@rlacf.org.