DEWITT -- The Jamesville-DeWitt High School National Honor Society has tackled many projects throughout the school year. Perhaps the most important one is something that we should all be aware of.
Val Hughes, the J-D National Honor Society treasurer, lays out these facts, "One in every four females will be abused by the time they are eighteen and one in every six males. I think these stats really shocked our families and friends. That's what helped to raise over 3,000 dollars for (the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Site)."
You may not have heard of them, but these students not only raised money but raised awareness about an important topic not usually discussed in the hallways or at the dinner table. Julie Cecile, the executive director of the McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Site, is happy that the students have helped her cause. She explains that the center is "A place where we help children who were physically and sexually abused. It's a safe and child-friendly place where kids can disclose and come. We can help them start the healing process."
The students devised a very successful letter writing campaign at a grassroots level to spread the word across the community. That's just the start of a very impressive list of achievements. Their advisors are all smiles. Simone Pacilio says, " I'm extremely proud of them. They are very busy people. They need to keep up with the academic standards in order to stay in the National Honor Society and also to get into universities and their volunteering and commitment to the community and the school."
The president of the National Honor Society wants to work in global development and charity in her career. The experience she says, is really valuable and rewarding. She told me, "It feels really good to make a difference."
In addition to the McMahon Ryan Site, these students also raised $1,000 for breast cancer research and additional money for the earthquake victims in Haiti. In addition, they also have a tutoring program for kids that need it.
