Pleasant Valley’s service learning requirement is an amazing thing that changes both the lives of the students, and those that are receiving the helping hands of our students. The school is not only committed to excellence in academics, but in creating good members of the community as well.

Getting these service hours may seem like a chore to some, but it doesn’t have to feel this way. There is a huge significance in helping other people while doing something that is interesting to you personally. The service learning program at Pleasant Valley gives all students a huge amount of resources to kids who are trying to find out who they are and what they like.

Being involved in acts that are not only meaningful for the student, but the service as well, makes us happier and healthier both physically and emotionally. Ann Berger, a Psychology teacher at Pleasant Valley, said, “Helping others can actually help you and your mental health. It’s significant and it’s a simple thing to do.”

One outstanding student at PV stood out this year and completed his service hours in an amazing way. Ryan Harper, Senior at the school, volunteered a whole week of his time serving a mission trip in Haiti. There, Harper spent his time helping with The Village of Hope Lazarus project. This is a volunteer opportunity that strives to better the overall life of the people of Haiti.

All week long, Harper worked tirelessly while travelling around areas of Haiti near Port-au-Prince, Haiti where he interacted with families in need and distributed medicine to those who could not afford them. He said, “One thing I loved about the mission trip to Haiti was how eye opening it was for me. A lot of people haven’t been to a third world country, so meeting the people there first hand was an amazing experience. Going to the different locations to help the other people was very rewarding. We got to give the people medicine and talk to a lot of people there and heard their stories.”

There is meaning in the service learning program here at PV, and students should not take the experience for granted. When attending Pleasant Valley, kids may not always see the strife that is going on in people’s lives in our own community. Give back to others, and in return you’ll be giving happiness back to yourself.