Fallbrook High students leave a legacy

Shirley Chisholm once said, “Service is the rent we pay for our place on earth.” To fulfill these words, an endeavor called Legacy Week was organized at Fallbrook High School from November 30 to December 5. The week, the students, devoted to serving others, were given the opportunity to learn about service organizations as well as earn service hours to help them with future endeavors at Fallbrook High.

The week was kicked off with the start of the Pasta for Pennies Program as well as a Community Service Organization Rush Day.

Pasta for Pennies, which ran the full week, is a program that raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The class that raised the most earned themselves a free Olive Garden Pasta party. After a week of collecting money, Fallbrook High’s Associated Student Body (ASB) is proud to say that over $2,300 was collected in just five days and all the proceeds go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Community Service Organization Rush Day had a great turnout. With Fallbrook Food Pantry, Chamber of Commerce, Pink Ribbon Club, US Census Bureau, Save our Forest, REINS and many other organizations represented, students had the opportunity to sign up for volunteer hours. Music and a raffle were other highlights of this affair and it was a great way to start the week of serving others.

Tuesday, December 1, was Cards for Troops day on campus. The ASB set up two booths within the school for students to make cards for troops and their families – those stationed both in the states and overseas. All cards were sent to the American Red Cross through their holiday card program. There was a fantastic turnout from AVID classes, computer classes and other students. This truly hit home to many individuals on campus and it showed them an easy way to show support and serve others.

On Wednesday, December 2, a few students tried to encourage others to pick up trash around campus during the lunch period. Participants included Yesenia Ramos, Ally Maxwell, Lauren Bell, Maxie Mertens, and Sherry Beltran. Those who participated told stories of people asking why they were cleaning up trash. The answer was simple, they said. “We are leaving a legacy.” This effort did not have great participation, but the intent and effect was stellar.

On Thursday, December 3, a few students repainted a Warrior Head near the girl’s locker room. The Warrior Head now looks outstanding. Community members are welcome to see the many impacts the students have made on the high school campus.

On Friday, December 4, there was going to be a pancake breakfast to benefit the 2K4 Kids Foundation, but due to unforeseen circumstances it had to be postponed until next month. The pancake breakfast is now scheduled for Jan. 25, 2010 from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.

The final day of Legacy Week was Saturday, December 5. Teaming up with the Fallbrook Land Conservancy’s Save Our Forest volunteers, led by Jackie Heyneman, 28 students came to the high school at 8 a.m. to help plant trees in very difficult terrain around the school. The trees were made available through a California ReLeaf grant. The students were put in teams consisting of a Save our Forest volunteer, an ASB member and AVID students. There was a great turnout and over 15 trees were planted around the school.

“The Save Our Forest volunteers provided donuts, coffee, and water to give the students a good start,” said Heyneman. “These young people, boys and girls alike, were amazing. They really dug in with digging bars, pick axes and shovels all the way to the finish.”

Those that helped truly showed a passion for serving others and therefore Legacy Week was a huge success.

During Legacy Week, there was an organization of the day highlighted on the morning news each day. Students also had the opportunity to sign their name on the “Fallbrook High Pledges to Serve” poster. This poster will be put up later in the year to remind everyone to serve others.

The ASB Toy Drive is going to be taking place until Dec. 18 and the final event before Winter Break is the Festival of Cultures. This event is always inspiring and filled with experiences one will never forget.

Raising money, making cards for the troops, picking up trash, planting trees and refurbishing a Warrior Head were small service projects, but the ASB took a step towards making the future a better place. Fallbrook High School is dedicated to leaving a legacy and encourages other residents of the community to do the same.

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