Dalton High School’s International Club, football team, National Honor Society chapter, culinary arts classes and Junior ROTC program all have something in common. How could such diverse groups share a common interest? The answer lies in two words: community service.

Many of Dalton High’s students participate in community service activities for their school, their community, and around the globe. These students are volunteering through a wide variety of groups at the school — not just the traditional service clubs such as Anchor, Key and Interact clubs. Extracurricular clubs, honor societies, athletic teams and even individual classes at Dalton High have taken on community service projects and volunteered countless hours to help others.

Dalton High students are part of a growing trend. Many high school students across the country are participating in community service. In fact, many colleges now consider a student’s community service and volunteer hours to be an important part of the college admission process.

Principal Debbie Freeman said the spirit of civic-mindedness at Dalton High has been growing steadily.

“I’m so proud of our students,” she said. “The more our kids do, the more they want to do. Although [community service] looks good on college applications, I feel like that is not the main goal for DHS students, because so many of them go beyond what is asked.”

Donating time and money

The giving spirit of Dalton High students begins on the school campus. Every month the culinary arts classes raise money for scholarships for fellow Dalton High students. The culinary students prepare a lunch for teachers and sell tickets for $5. Junior Emily Liner said the lunch is well attended each month.

“Teachers have to make reservations, and the introductory culinary arts classes serve the meal,” Liner said. “Last year, we were able to give three $500 scholarships to students who are planning to pursue culinary arts in college or who meet other qualifications.”

The International Club sponsors a popular Turkey Feather Fundraiser each year that benefits students. Club members hang a turkey on each teacher’s door and sell paper feathers to students for 25 cents. Students purchase the feathers for their favorite teachers. According to International Club president Laura Vareli, the proceeds of the contest go toward the International Club Scholarship which is awarded to a senior in the spring.

“We always have lots of response to the turkey feather contest,” Vareli said.

This year, teachers Michael Coulter, Brian Maskarinec and Hannah Lewis came in first, second and third respectively in the contest and had a combined total of 676 feathers on their turkeys. Coulter has won the contest for the past three years and always gives his prize, which is a turkey, to the Ronald McDonald charity organization.

The National Honor Society (NHS) helps fellow students by offering free tutoring to classmates who need extra help. NHS member Sareena Gallani, who is also active in many other clubs and activities at Dalton High, feels that her classmates really care about each other and the community.

“We have so many people here who have a passion for community service,” Gallani said. “It seems especially true this year, because so many of our clubs have added lots of new members who are eager to get involved and help.”

According to Freeman, the students in the government service classes at the school also give countless volunteer hours to Dalton High.