Students honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through community service

Members of a Girl Scout troop make menstrual product packages for those in need Monday, Jan. 15

January 17, 2024

Spending a day off of school serving the community may not be what every student would choose to do, but on Monday, Jan 15 this is the choice that sophomore Oliver Fiering and seniors Ella Bowling and Keira Patty made. This wasn’t just any day off school though; this was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a holiday dedicated to honoring King’s legacy through volunteering in the community.

Looking down at the box, senior Keira Patty works on her part of the period product package assembly line Monday, Jan. 15. (By Submitted by Keira Patty)

These three students volunteered with their Girl Scout troop to package menstrual products for those in need. The event, run through an organization called Giving Hope & Help, involved an assembly line to make as many packages as they could. Patty enjoyed the experience because of the way it brought people together.

“I liked meeting the other people that were there,” Patty said. “Everybody was so nice there and it was just a really good vibe. They made lunch for us afterwards and it was just really nice to see everybody working together to make an impact.”

For Bowling, serving the community is specifically important on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as it is important to honor his legacy.

“I think it’s really important because we get a whole day off of school just because [King] did what he did,” Bowling said. “I think we have to treat that with importance, so I think serving the community for him is really important because he put in so much work.”

Working on a card for the period product packages, Junior Trinity Wilson writes a note. (By Submitted by Keira Patty)

Even outside honoring King, service is important to Patty.

“It’s really important to me because I like seeing the impact and making a difference,” Patty said. “It’s something that some people can’t experience and I feel like it’s something everyone should experience. Giving back is just really nice to see.”

Fiering finds the importance of service by the fact that if he was in the same position he would like for someone to do the same for him.

“It’s very important to be connecting with your community,” Fiering said. “Either if you are giving to them or giving with them. It’s something you’d want to have if you were in a lesser situation. You’d want at least a little bit of help. It’s good to serve your community.”

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About the Contributors

Emma Clement, JagWire editor-in-chief, Mill Valley News editor-in-chief

This is senior Emma Clement’s third year on the JagWire staff. This year she is JagWire and Mill Valley News editor-in-chief, in addition to being a writer and designer for the newspaper. When she is not working on journalism, Emma enjoys reading, drawing, painting, watching TV shows and spending time with friends and family. She is also involved at Mill Valley as NHS president, Spanish NHS vice president, Youth for Refugees president, Model UN president, NAHS vice president and is a member of NEHS, Scholar’s Bowl and Women’s Empowerment Club. Outside of school, Emma works at Pinnacle Gymnastics as a gymnastics coach and is on the editorial board for elementia, the Johnson County Library’s teen literary magazine.

Evan LeRoy, JagWire reporter/photographer

This is sophomore Evan LeRoy’s first year on the JagWire staff. Evan is a reporter for both the newspaper staff and for the broadcast staff. Outside of school Evan likes to perform, take walks and spend time preparing for his next performance. Evan is excited to learn all the skills he will need to do both print and video journalism. Evan is excited to be a part of both groups and is excited to tell all the important stories the people of Mill Valley need to know.

Jules Shumaker, JagWire editor-in-chief

This is senior Jules Shumaker’s third year on the JagWire staff and they are excited to take on the role of editor-in-chief for the JagWire this year. Outside of journalism, they are a part of NHS, Spanish NHS, Art NHS, English NHS, and are on the CTEC Student Advisory Board. Jules spends their free time drawing, painting and reading, all while usually listening to loud music, as well as watching shows on Netflix. They are looking forward to another great year on staff.

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