Students at Heritage Park High School spent Monday spreading kindness throughout the community as part of the school’s annual Fall Community Outreach Day. Principal Dr. Michelle Ruckdeschel said the day is a longstanding tradition and encourages students to engage in service projects that demonstrate the impact of giving back.
“It doesn’t take money – just time and energy – to help others,” Ruckdeschel said. “This is part of our school culture, and our students look forward to it every year.”
Each grade level participated in tailored initiatives aimed at fostering gratitude and community connection.
- Freshmen: The 9th-grade class focused on assembling Thanksgiving food bags from items donated during a recent food drive. These bags will be distributed to HPHS students and families in need.
- Sophomores: The 10th-grade students prepared Thanksgiving-themed crafts and treats to deliver to children at the Heritage Park Daycare & Preschool. Weather permitting, they planned to walk to the daycare, cleaning up the community along the way.
- Juniors: 11th-grade students volunteered at the Daniel Pitino Shelter, tackling a variety of tasks assigned by staff. In addition to helping with daily operations, the students learned about the shelter’s history and the services it provides to the community.
- Seniors: The senior class divided their day between two projects. In the morning, students created Thanksgiving cards and visited Morning Pointe Assisted Living, where they played “Senior-Senior Bingo” with residents, bringing prizes to share. In the afternoon, they crafted Christmas-themed thank-you cards for Honor Flight participants and those serving in the military.
Melissa Gregory, the school’s family resource coordinator, emphasized the importance of fostering a spirit of gratitude.
“With a school our size, we rely heavily on community support to meet our needs,” Gregory said. “This is our way of giving back, showing students how small acts of kindness can go a long way.”
For junior Ryan Lyons, the day was a chance to not only give back but also build camaraderie.
“I’ve always liked helping out, but I think it’s cool that our school does these kinds of things,” Lyons said. “It’s a chance to come together with classmates you might not normally talk to, and it feels good to know we’re making a difference.”
Ruckdeschel said the outreach efforts highlight the school’s commitment to service and connection.
“This is about more than just one day,” she said. “It’s about showing students that helping others is rewarding and that their efforts can create a ripple effect of positivity.”
