Jackson Milton English assignment grows into fundraiser for animals
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
AUSTINTOWN
It looked like a 3-mile run/walk with dogs, but it was really a homework assignment.
Angeline Theis, a teacher at Jackson Milton High School, gave her advanced sophomore English students the task of completing a service project.
“The goal of the service-learning projects was to get them to use reading, writing and speaking outside of the school,” Theis said.
The students needed to make contacts, request donations and present their projects to the board of education for approval, she noted.
The class came up with a variety of projects, including a coat drive for the Rescue Mission and a basketball for a Boy Scouts game.
When Michaela Delaney and Mitchell Tikkanen realized they both were interested in helping Angels for Animals, a Mahoning County cat and dog shelter, they decided to team up.
They planned and executed a 3-mile run/walk Saturday at Austintown Township Park. The event, which drew nearly 40 participants, included snacks for both humans and dogs, prizes and T-shirts for those who pre-registered. Of the $15 registration fee, $5 was used to purchase T-shirts. The remaining money was donated to Angels.
“It was a big responsibility to have this,” Delaney said, “But I honestly believe I’ve benefited from it because we’ve had to do a lot of writing and journaling. It’s made me a better student.”
Tikkanen also said it was worthwhile.
“I’ve learned a lot of patience, for sure,” he said. “I’ve also learned that there’s always something you can do to make the world a better place, no matter how big or how small.”
Clare Held of Boardman and her pomeranian, Raven, participated. This was the first time Held had participated in a walk to raise money.
“I’m for any agency that wants to look after animals because they don’t have a voice of their own, and they need someone to help and talk for them,” Held said.
She applauded the students for the project.
“I think that’s excellent,” she said. “These kids are stepping up to the base to help out animals, too.”
Delaney and Tikkanen’s mothers got involved, as well. They staffed the registration table for the event.
“I think it’s a good project” Barb Delaney, Micheala’s mother, said. “I think it’s a good cause.”
The project is different than typical homework, she said.
“I think it helps them see what they want to actually do outside of school, too, to volunteer and see where the help is needed,” she said.
The students were required to complete 10 hours of community service as part of the project, Tikkanen’s mother, Jennifer McCon said.
Delaney and Tikkanen volunteered at Angels for Animals, cleaning cages and more.
“So it’s really taught them a lot about what a nonprofit organization does and how much is involved in it,” McConn said. “I think they’ve really learned a lot from it.”