Daniel Hand High School Seniors Excel At 'Lending-A-Hand'

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

MADISON, CT – One-hundred-and-thirty-nine, or almost half the entire class of Daniel Hand High School seniors, recently participated in the first annual “Lending-a-Hand” event, participating in a myriad of volunteer activities all over Madison.

The event, held on June 2nd, was coordinated by Jason Engelhardt, who teaches math at Daniel Hand.

Engelhardt said the students “selected volunteer activities that matched their interests around Madison.”

“Lending a Hand was an outstanding capstone to the DHHS student experience,” said Engelhardt.

“It allowed students to engage meaningfully in the community. Some of these students have never volunteered before; others were able to shine in a familiar experience,” Engellhardt added.

“This year, 45 percent of our seniors participated,” said Engelhardt. “Next year, we should hit at least 50 percent. All students should be encouraged to give back and participate in this event, and then continue to volunteer year round according to their own passions.”

At Island Avenue Elementary School, nearly 50 students volunteered to assist the field day festivities.

Declan Maloney, a senior who volunteered at Island said “I really enjoyed it. It was great to go back to the elementary school from my youth and see the old teachers and the students who are following in our footsteps. We brought it back full circle today.”

At both Ryerson and Jeffrey Elementary, seniors became classroom helpers.

Alanna Fogel helped at a second grade class at Jeffrey Elementary where she worked with a small group of students practicing persuasive writing. She said, “It was a great day and the classroom teachers at Jeffrey gave us jobs that allowed us to make an impact.”

Volunteers also helped out on town projects. A group of 25 students helped out Beach and Recreation at West Wharf by planting dune grass another gr. coup 30 students volunteered at Rockland Preserve building bike trails and clearing brush at Rockland Bike Park.

Senior Jack Parker appreciated the chance to get out of the classroom.

“It felt good to do something meaningful,” Jack said. “We’re all seniors anxious to move on to college so it is harder now to focus in school than ever before. I learned more getting my hands dirty building trails today than I have in a long time, and I’m glad to know that it is for a good cause.

The class of 2017 Class Council members were pleased with the outcome as well.

Councilmember Patrick Fahey volunteered at an elementary school and said it was “like having bookends” at the elementary school on either side of his educational experience. He said the experience “pulled the class together with something memorable that will make a lasting impression.”

Teacher and class advisor Doreen Mantilia said, “I am so proud of the students for going out into the community and giving back. These students can all benefit from giving a day or more to service. It’s nice that we had this opportunity to give them a taste of how rewarding volunteerism can be.”

Senior Tianyi Zeng volunteered for his first time at Island Elementary. He enjoyed the day and working with the children. Tianyi said that he “will absolutely volunteer again.”

Organizers hope more students will have the opportunity to participate in this event for years to come.

Class advisor Karan Proulx said, “These are outstanding young adults with so much to offer. I am so glad to see them civically engaged back home before they go off and experience the world.”