Laurel High School students give back | Community Spirit

The following is a press release from the Laurel School District:

When Hurricane Katrina heavily impacted the area in 2005, schools from other states provided assistance to Laurel High School. Now, nearly eight years later, the students of Laurel High School have returned the favor.

After Hurricane Sandy devastated areas on the east coast, students at Laurel High School’s Career and Technical Center banded together to host a fundraiser to assist schools affected by the Super Storm. To create a scene for the fundraiser, students replicated the New York skyline on one side of the center and the Jersey Shore Boardwalk on the other. The event featured a variety of street vender type booths where the students showcased their culinary and marketing skills.

The Culinary Arts students served nachos along with fresh squeezed lemonade, hot dogs and other street fare, and the students from Marketing created a boardwalk type souvenir shop with a “Restore the Shore” theme. All of the proceeds from the event were donated to the New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, where the money will be earmarked to assist school programs impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

“I am extremely proud of our culinary and marketing students and their instructors,” said Laurel High School Career and Technical Center Director Becky Sanders. “The time they devoted to the preparation and implementation of this project shows the concern they have for the students affected by Hurricane Sandy. This was an excellent opportunity for our CTC to pay forward the kindness we received after Hurricane Katrina.”

The students involved in the event were pleased with their accomplishments and were excited to see how easy it was to help others.

“It means a lot to me to be involved in this effort,” said LHS Marketing student Jasmine McInnis. “When we were going through the aftermath of Katrina, others helped us out and sent checks to our school, and it is important to give back. We never know what life will bring our way.”
Culinary Arts Instructor Rod Hollins was proud of his students’ work and thankful for the opportunity to teach them a life lesson.

“It is important for our students to see that not only do you make money for yourself and your business, but you should always give back and help others. It is good to receive, but it is even better to give. Due to Katrina, we had needs. Now, someone else has needs, and we can do our part by assisting with those needs.”

“Community involvement is one of the most important life lessons we teach in the Laurel High School CTC,” Sanders added. “This project reminded our students that their good works do not have to end at the city limits or the state line.”