 San
Jacinto Intermediate School Teen Leadership classes helped hundreds
of local children through the holidays as they raised $1,000 and
collected 50 toys recently for the Pasadena Police Department’s
“Officer Santa” program.
Officer Santa helps needy children and families in the Pasadena area
by providing toys, clothes and food needed or wanted for the
holidays.
The school’s teen leadership sponsor Tonia Reed said the classes
discussed the different programs in Pasadena that reach out to
people. After Pasadena Police Officer Bo Powers spoke with the
students about what they could do to help the Officer Santa program,
the students wrote a proposal to school administrators to allow them
to hold a dance where students could pay $5 or bring a new toy to
attend.
“I am completely overwhelmed at the hard work and generosity our
students showed in a time of need,” said Reed. “These are kids that
saw a program in need and decided they wanted to be a part of it.
They are selfless givers.”
Some Teen Leadership concepts taught in class include how to become
a better person and a societal contributor as well as how to develop
leadership qualities.
“Learning to lead helps the students with their goals in life,” Reed
said. “This project gave them an opportunity to grow as individuals
and build their confidence through helping others. They need to
understand the difference they can make early in life so they can
see the bigger impact later on.”
Teen Leadership student Aleyda Salazar said it’s important for young
people to be active in the community by helping others.
“If we help in this way, people will see that we truly care about
our community and the people around us,” Salazar said.
Reed said the students’ participation in this project will also help
them build meaningful relationships and the value of helping others.
“Contributing to their community helps these kids understand that
school is not just for core subjects and that there is a lot more in
life they have to achieve,” she said. “Some people feel as though
what they have or what they look like makes them the best when
really the greatness comes from within. They have to learn now they
can make a difference, and through their efforts, I hope my students
understand the impact they have had on others.” |
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