As the first quarter comes to an end, it is no surprise that the Seniors are well into working on their senior service projects. With many different non-profit organizations to work with, the Seniors are helping to better the lives of many in many different ways.

Jake Graf is enthusiastic about working with his nonprofit organization, The Father’s House, a community home for children in the foster care system. His group has already put in the long hours to finish the project, building the kids a fun piece of outdoor equipment.

“It's going very well. We actually finished our project. We built a Gaga pit at the Father’s House for the kids to use. They were very excited to use it as soon as we finished it”, Graf said.

Another senior, Stephanie Hartkemeyer took her passion for serving homeless people at the Community Meal Center in Hamilton and mixed it with her interest in agriculture for her service project. Hartkemeyer is working to build a lush garden on the neighboring land just to the right of the high school. She will be giving all of the vegetables and fruits she grows to the Meal Center, and will be helping to incorporate her produce into the meals they make.

“What my group is most excited about is making an impact on the near communities. We look forward to helping men and women experiencing homelessness, in which we serve a hot, homemade meal to”, Harketmeyer said.

Sydney Feenstra is in a group with Harketmeyer and recalls the process of what they have accomplished so far this year.

“The house next to Badin was bought by Badin and there was beautiful land where an old garden was. We broke ground and filled it. Went and bought fruits and vegetables to plant. We planted and all of our produce went to the Community Meal Center”, Feenstra said.

Looking to make an impact on children and their mother’s Maggie Fiehrer is working with Younglives, an organization that helps teen mothers, to give the children there a splendid Christmas treat.

“Our service group is working on having a Christmas party for the kids in our agency and their mothers, and we plan on wrapping the presents and being there when each kid opens them. We are most excited to be more connected with the people who attend our agency, and getting the chance to build relationships with mothers and their children finally in person”, said Fiehrer.

It is wonderful how students are building relationships with their service agency’s, and caring for those who need it. However, without Badin’s service coordinator, Mrs. Halverson, none of this would be possible. She makes students feel comfortable to try new types of service, and reaches out to make sure that each group has a plan for their projects.

Halverson's favorite memories from these projects are associated with the meaningful conversations she has had with students during their service.

“My favorite thing about senior service projects is working with groups to be creative and to find something unique that a group can contribute. When students come up with an idea that they are truly passionate about and then do what it takes to make it happen--it is the best thing in the world to witness. my favorite memories so far are associated with conversations along these lines--talking to Riley, Jenna, and Sandra last year when they completed their mural at the Boys and Girls Club... hearing about the amount of money the Cameron, Landyn, and Johnny raised for operation ramp it up and seeing them highlighted in the paper when they were building the ramp they had raised the money for... talking to Abby, Caroline, John, and Hannah last year after they delivered their baskets for new single moms to the hospital and got to talk to the nurses about their project... conversations such as these about the joy the completion of a project brings are my favorite memories”, Halverson said.

Since this is only the second year Halverson knows that students are still learning and adjusting, but she has no doubt the longer the program is in place the better the projects will be.

As the Senior class continues to finish their projects there will be many meaningful memories made, and lives that are changed for the better.