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 Citizenship-Ready endorsement, students at Meridian have an opportunity to be recognized for their contributions to the community. During the 2016-2017 school year, 96 students documented more than 2,660 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.”

Stillwater student Christopher Brubaker has a passion for service and will be one of the students receiving the Citizenship-Ready endorsement this year.

“Community service was something that my parents instilled in me at a young age,” he said, regarding time spent volunteering. “I believe in the phrase ‘freely you’ve received, freely you give.’ I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of great opportunities in my life, and those experiences have given me plenty of reasons to want to give back.”

Students who participated in the initiative volunteered an average of 27.70 hours. Some of the agencies that have benefited from student engagement include the Stillwater Area United Way, St. Andrews Thrift Shop, Wings of Hope Family Crisis Services, Golden Oaks Nursing Home, Tiny Paws Kitten Rescue, Habitat for Humanity and Pearls of Grace Ranch.

During the 2016-2017 school year, 96 students from Meridian Technology Center documented 2,660 community service hours. Earlier this year Stillwater student Christopher Brubaker presented a donation to St. Andrew’s Thrift Shop representative Taffy Lawley. St. Andrew’s Thrift Shop is a long-time supporter of Meridian and funds a scholarship through the Meridian Technology Center Foundation to assist adult students with expenses related to their career training.