Submitted by Joe Vaughan

HC Early College HS

UNION – Hertford County Early College High School wants to give back to the community by volunteering 1,500 hours of community service this school year.

According to Early College Principal Bryan Ruffin, the school is seeking to partner with as many non-profit agencies as possible to launch its new service learning initiative where students volunteer at least 10 hours a year to support non-profit activities and organizations.

“The goal of this new initiative is to put the public back in public schools by getting our students involved,” Ruffin said.

The public high school, located on the campus of Roanoke-Chowan Community College, is designed to give high school students both a high school diploma and a two-year associate’s degree within a five year timeframe. The school’s new community service initiative will require students to volunteer 10 hours per year to learn and partner with organizations that provide non-profit services.

“I feel it is a great way for every student to give back to their community and find something they could enjoy doing while learning about responsibility and improving social skills,” said Dorothy Saunders, a senior at the school.

On Aug. 21 the school will host a Community Service Partner’s Day in the Roanoke Chowan Community College gym beginning at 1:30 pm. Organizations from the community are invited to send representatives to the event to share with Early College students opportunities available through their service.  Non-profit organizations should call the school at 252-332-7788 by August 18 if they are interested in sending a representative to the event.

“The goal of the Early College community service program is to better prepare students for real life and foster in them a sense of community stewardship. The initiative will not only benefit local organizations, but will enrich students’ overall learning experiences in high school and instill in them a desire to give back to their community as  lifelong volunteers,” according to Ruffin.