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Community Partners

Community Service is defined as “the act of (picture) voluntarily serving the community by giving one’s time, energy and talents toward helping individuals, groups or the environment without expecting anything in return.” It is done for and in the greater community and is above and beyond what is expected. The motivation is for others, not for self!

Why does Jackson Prep strongly encourage Community Service?

• Our Mission Statement directs us: “…..The school believes in developing in its students…. the qualities of responsible citizenship… At Jackson Prep education is not an end in itself but a means to the individual’s fulfillment as a contributing member of the world community. ”



• Our core values charge us :” the spirit of volunteerism should be cultivated among the students through community service.



• It is part of our history. Students have been encouraged to and have contributed to our community through service to others since Prep’s inception in 1969. The first student body collected “Toys for Tots” under the leadership of our first SGA. Mrs. Arthur (Ruth) Guyton for whom the new Science Building is named was the first PAT President. At the opening faculty meeting in August of 1971, she said: “ … I wish that Prep may be a school where learning is linked with service….it is a privileged education that our young people enjoy here… We must help them to use that privilege responsibly, to learn in order to prepare themselves for the service of society.” Today we continue to fulfill that wish by apprising our students of the vast volunteer opportunities in our community as well as directing them in service projects.



• It provides individual growth and reward for the volunteer. Service in the community makes one develop an awareness of the needs of others as it cultivates a spirit of volunteerism. It is a good way to gain perspective on life and to learn about oneself while learning about others. By performing community service, one can develop responsible citizenship and contribute to the world community. Certificates recognizing significant Community Service will be given at the end of each school year to all Junior High and Senior High students who meet the award requirements.

From “Real Community Service and What it Means” by Laura Sorey, Prep Student:
“I am ashamed that it has taken me this long to realize that there is a difference in community service and truly serving the community. One is good and the other is better. One is donating some old clothes and the other is giving up something important to you that you know can make someone’s day just a little bit better. One is something we do every once in a while and the other is something that we need to be doing right now.”

May all of us here at Prep come to this understanding of “real” service to others!