The senior class at Bishop Guertin gave back to the community on Oct. 22 with the first-ever senior day of service. All of the students spent the day volunteering at a variety of locations, including the Nashua Children’s Home, Corpus Christi Food Pantry and the Front Door Agency.

The senior day of service had BG students raking, weeding and even painting a mural. "From food banks to ball fields, parishes, and schools, our seniors stepped up to fill needs within the community," Principal Jason Strniste wrote on his Cardinal Blog.

"I liked the fact that we were given the chance to try and help the church out, even if it was a small act," said senior Kim Graham, who helped clean at the Immaculate Conception Church in Nashua. "While we were there, we were approached by many elderly churchgoers thanking us for helping their church."

"It was a bonding moment for the senior class," said Emma Williams, who volunteered at the Corpus Christi Food Pantry. "It was eye-opening to see that people have dedicated their lives to nonprofit volunteer work." Williams and her classmates reflected on the day and what it meant to the community after they returned to school for lunch. "Spending the day out in our community reminds us about the important values, such as charity, compassion and teamwork," one senior remarked.

Mayor Donnalee Lozeau, of Nashua, spoke to the students after they came back to Bishop Guertin and commended their generosity. "You should want to be part of something greater than you," she told them.

After the great success of this year’s service day, students and teachers are optimistic that it will become an annual occurrence at Bishop Guertin. "I hope seniors have blazed a trail for this day to become a continued tradition," said social studies teacher Corey Genest, who helped organize the event alongside religion teacher Alison Cloutier and Campus Minister Mollie Kerrigan. They, along with many parent and teacher volunteers, made the senior day of service a positive experience for the entire class of 2016. This event is a perfect example of the spirit of giving back that BG hopes to cultivate in its students, and the school looks forward to many future community service events.

Holly Boivin is a sophomore at Bishop Guertin High School.