Steel Valley students pay it forward to honor Black History Month

Paying it forward is more than just an idea; it’s the inspiration for students in Jodi Geyer’s English classes who honored Black History Month by serving others. The students of room 217 donated more than 70 hours of time and service by baking, cooking, recycling, helping others, performing acts of service, and promoting love and kindness. The students helped more than 100 people throughout the month of February.

Once their acts of service were performed, students documented their efforts through pictures, paragraphs explaining their good deeds, and selecting inspirational quotes that exemplified the ideals of their project. Those items were turned into a collage, completed by student volunteers, who decorated the door of 217 in the theme of "Black Panther" with the film’s quote "more connects us than divides us" highlighting the students’ efforts.

Junior Max Holby designed and drew a silhouette of Black Panther and assisted with much of the collage. Will Smithson, also a junior, made the bubble letters for the quote, while senior Janice Chen decorated and outlined the letters to add visual interest. So many acts of service were performed that the students’ work didn’t fit onto the door and spilled into the hallway beside the classroom.

“Mrs. Geyer’s project made me realize that it’s my responsibility to help take care of my grandma, just like she has always taken care of me. I enjoyed spending extra time with her,” said junior Toray Anderson. Many students opted to spend extra time with family, helping with chores, cooking with or for their parents, and putting forth extra effort without being asked.

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, who said, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” some students opted to donate their time at local hospitals, tutor peers, write letters of encouragement, distribute jars of joy, and help with Beverly’s Birthdays, to name just a few. Walking the neighbor’s dog, shopping for an elderly neighbor, and taking out the trash were also popular acts of service performed by many students.

“The door is captivating,” said Nurse Amber Thomas. “To read about the students doing so many things is inspiring and really put into perspective just how much our students care about each other and the history of the people in the community.”

Jackie Robinson once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”  The students in room 217 have definitely left a positive impact on their community.