LMS 8th Graders Take on Community Projects
La Grange Middle School held an event Wednesday morning, May 25, featuring the eighth grade’s “Words to Action” projects.
Starting at mid-year, each homeroom class in the eight grade took on a community service project. On Wednesday morning, the school invited parents and the public to the Middle School Gym, where each homeroom class set up a booth showcasing their project.
Mrs. Deanna Hoelscher’s class supported the La Grange Optimist Club for their class project. The students held a drive-through bake sale April 9 on the Courthouse Square and raised over $1,000 for the Club. The students said they picked the Optimist Club because many of them have participated in the Club’s youth sports programs.
“It was very fun,” said student Anthony Anzaldua. “We held up posters on the street and directed cars to the bake sale. The cars would come by and we’d give them some information about the Optimist Club.”
Mrs. Karissa Kleiber, Ms. Julie Bouchard and Mrs. Crystal Perez’s homeroom classes picked the Gardenia E. Janssen Animal Shelter for their Words to Action project. They collected donations for the shelter such as dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, collars, leashes and toys. A few of the students even volunteered at the shelter during Spring Break.
Mrs. Amy Fritz’s class made cards and treats for first responders in La Grange, including the La Grange Police Department, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Fayette County EMS and La Grange Fire Department.
Mrs. Rebecca Little’s homeroom class partnered with Habitat for Humanity for three different community projects. They volunteered at Second Chance Emporium by sorting through donations, hanging clothes and preparing items for sale. They then helped Habitat for Humanity set up for a garage sale. In addition, they painted the Agricultural Building at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.
“A lot of people don’t realize how much help people really need,” said student Elizabeth Torres. “It’s actually really fun to help the community. It’s a lot more fun than I thought.”
Mrs. Rebecca Stewart’s class chose “Love Literacy” as their Words to Action project. The class picked out their favorite books from childhood and read them to kindergarten and first grade students at La Grange Elementary.
“A simple act of doing anything puts an impact on people,” said student Kaitlyn Flex. “The kids were so excited.”
The Words to Action showcase took place the morning after Texans learned about the horrific school massacre in Uvalde, where an 18-year-old dropout shot and killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary.
La Grange Middle School Principal Sarah Otto said school leaders pondered whether they should call off the event, which was open to the public. They ultimately decided to carry on. The school stepped up security, though, by posting plenty of teachers and coaches in the hallways and at all the entrances.
“We have some really good kids at this school,” Otto said. “Look at what they’ve been doing for our community all semester – putting words into action. They deserve to have this day.”