Metrocenter Academy
Students Take Time Out to Give Back

April 2007
High school students on Spring Break – you think, beaches, partying, sleeping-in, getting into trouble, right? Not this year. Students from Metrocenter Academy were doing just the opposite – they were volunteering. Twelve students volunteered their time to help clean up another CISA school, Maryland Elementary.

Created in partnership with CISA, Glendale Union High School District, and Simon Youth Foundation, Metrocenter Academy opened its doors in 1997. Since its inception, Metrocenter has instilled in its students a commitment to community service; one of CIS's 5 Basics.

“I didn’t want to volunteer to do community work over my session break – but I needed the community service hours. After being there for a few hours - I started to enjoy the work – it was a fun experience…” said Crystal Alvarez, Senior at Metrocenter Academy.

During the first annual “Make Maryland Marvelous” day, these high school students accomplished a great deal. The school was very thankful for the impact Metrocenter Academy students had on the school grounds, and it seems that this project also had an impact on those who served.

“It was nice to do work for someone else. I only live a couple of blocks away from Maryland Elementary so this is my community. I painted the soccer posts on the playground and now when I drive past the school, I am able to point out to my friends that I painted that soccer post bright yellow. What I liked best about working was hearing the little kids say, “They are painting our playground!” It made me feel good to be a part of something…” says Senior, Emelina Mojuta.

A few hard working students even stayed longer than scheduled in order to complete the project they were working on. During their service project, the students pulled enough weeds to fill 6 large trash bags, organized and inventoried a storage room, built 3 shelving units and painted 2 soccer goals, 4 benches and 4 poles.

“Working at Maryland Elementary school was very motivating, and inspiring. To me, it truly was a learning experience. I would volunteer again in a heart beat!” said Senior, Selina Dension.

Cheers to Metrocenter Academy Students - way to give back to your community!