For students attending Meridian Technology Center this year hasn’t just been about what they get from coming to class. It’s also been about what they give.

As part of the school’s new Citizenship-Ready endorsement, students at Meridian have an opportunity to be recognized for their contributions to the community. During the 2015-2016 school year, 99 students documented 2,415 community service hours.

“When students attend Meridian, we want to help them be prepared for life,” said Jeanie Zagar, Executive Director, Career Planning/Career Development. “We focus on the academic success that will prepare them to enter the workforce or college through Career-Ready and College-Ready Credentials, and we also put emphasis on the difference they can make in the community through service.”

Pre-Engineering student Jenna Fowler has a passion for service and will be one of the students receiving the Citizenship-Ready endorsement this year.

“I think it’s important to be involved in your community,” she said, regarding time spent volunteering. “It’s important to be there for other people. We’ve all been in situations where we’ve needed additional help at some point or another.”

Students who participated in the initiative volunteered an average of 24.39 hours. Some of the agencies that have benefitted from student engagement include the American Red Cross, Guthrie Kiwanis, Stillwater Area United Way, Meals on Wheels, Stillwater Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity and Pepper’s Ranch.

For more information or to enroll visit www.meridiantech.edu or contact a career counselor by phone at (405) 377-3333 or toll-free at (888) 607-2509.