LOWELLVILLE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS | What they learned from their projects

Students in Lisa Iberis’ 10th-grade American literature class were required, as part of their class work, to create or participate in volunteer service learning projects. Here are edited excerpts from their project journals:

Josh Ivack and Mike Koch: Coached fifth- and sixth-grade basketball.

“I learned ... how much patience you needed to teach a kid how to play basketball. I also learned how to be a leader. I didn’t just teach the kids how to play basketball, I taught them how to behave when things don’t go your way.” — Josh

“It taught me patience and showed me what our teachers have to endure every day. I really enjoyed it. I would definitely do this again. It made me feel like I accomplished something when I saw the sixth-grade B team win their first game in two years.” — Mike

Annie Partika and Carly Conklin: Conducted a theatre workshop for sixth-grade students, put on a play and donated the proceeds to the high school drama club.

“I felt proud of myself and the young students. It also gave me a taste of what it’s like to be a teacher and a theatre director and made me think about what I’d like to do in the future.” — Annie

“I liked the Youth Theatre Group and I thought it was a good experience and a good project.” — Carly

Stephanie Vance and Erin Cowden: Participated in Youngstown Relay for Life.

“This project took us out of our element and showed us real life situations that we might not have noticed before. This project made me feel like I bettered the world, even if it was just in the smallest way.” — Stephanie.

“Service learning made me take notice of the things I would normally ignore, and I really appreciate that I could take part in it.” — Erin

Haley Dustman, Marisa Sergi and Valerie Jones-Dubos: Volunteered at St. Elizabeth Health Center, Youngstown Campus.

“I thought it would be a lot work, and really I thought I would get nothing out of it. But actually, you go out in the real world and realize that it’s not as easy as it seems, and it’s all on you.” — Haley

“I found that people in waiting rooms in the hospitals waiting for their loved ones really like to see a smiling face to cheer them up. It was well worth passing out coffee for three hours just to see some people smile. I will definitely be volunteering again in the future.” — Valerie

“I expected to deal with the patients, but to my surprise, they mostly assigned me to help out the people in the waiting room. I always thought you could only help the patients because they are in pain and ill. But really the family members and friends waiting are in great emotional pain and nervous too.” — Marisa

Gina Stouffer and Nicoletta Donofrio: Volunteered for Animal Charity and Angels for Animals.

“I learned what it was actually like to be responsible and what it is like to be a working woman. My attitude changed majorly since the beginning and end of this project because I finally realized the working world is one tough place.” — Gina

“This project taught us all a lot about life. It shows us how the real world is not all fun and games; you are not always going to have someone to help you or get you out of something you do not want to do.” — Nici

Anthony Alfano, Mike Matisi and Tony Schialdone: Taught study skills and basketball camp for sixth-graders.

“I learned how to handle kids and learned to be patient when they are having trouble. I think I will continue to help kids with sports, whether it is organizing another after-school program or coaching a sports team. — Anthony

“The children ... put me in a teacher’s shoes and helped me understand what it is like for them everyday. At times it was trying and difficult, but we got through it and tried to make the most out of it.” — Mike

“The kids were funny and bright and reminded me of my group of friends growing up in the sixth grade. I had to act more mature than I normally would around little kids because for those two and half hours, they looked up to me. I was their role model, and that made me feel good.” — Tony

Jason Gennaro: Volunteered entertainment activities for mental health drop-in center in Youngstown.

“My project was fun, and I liked it. I realized they were nice people and friendly. I would probably do it again just to socialize with them.”

Raymond Carlson: Created maps to away athletic events to sell to benefit the Salvation Army.

“Overall, I thought it was a good project, but I’m not good at organizing things by myself. If I were going to do this again, I’d team up with a friend.”

Patrick Macella: Volunteered for Animal Charity.

“At first, when I started the project, I really did not like it. After a while, it got better, and I learned that helping animals and people can be a great feeling.”

Kayla Maszczak: Organized Bowling for Diabetes fundraiser.

“I thought that the project was going to be a lot easier than it was. But I found that people really do care when you help them. The American Diabetes Association was very grateful when I told them about the money I raised.”

Zach Harklerode: Organized fish fry to benefit groups and organizations in school.

“The project allowed me to meet new people and experience new things. It showed me how to communicate with people and how to be more organized. Although it was difficult at times, I think that doing this project has taught me lessons that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”