Seniors take on SMADD 2021

By: Mae Reese

Every November, Seniors at Athens High School get the opportunity to work with a variety of volunteer organizations to help out within the community. This is called Senior Make a Difference Day (SMADD).

The event was organized by English teacher and Senior Class Advisor Irene Hancock, and took place on Friday, Nov. 19th. Hancock has led the organization of the event for multiple years and when asked if she plans to continue says, “Probably. This is my favorite thing to do as the Senior Class Advisor. It’s difficult but rewarding.”

On the day of the event, all seniors who signed up made their way to their assigned locations where they spent the majority of the day volunteering with fellow students and local organizations. Just a few of these volunteer opportunities included helping out in local elementary school classrooms, picking up trash by partnering with local organization Zero Waste and trail maintenance with the Athens Conservatory.

When asked where you might be able to find her on the day of the event Hancock says, “I take my car and ride around with the Senior class president, a representative from the yearbook and a representative from The Matrix. We go to every placement and take pictures as well as attendance.”

Hancock goes on to say that, “Every year, even if students get placed outside of their preferred placement, we get overwhelmingly positive feedback about their experience.”

Leila Abukamail, a senior at Athens High school, gave a brief account of what her day looked like and what aspects of SMADD she enjoyed the most. Abukamail said, “I went to East Elementary and helped out in a preschool classroom. I would say my favorite part was just being able to connect with the kids and do crafts with them and see them learning things on their own.”

Senior Make a Difference Day is not only beneficial to our community but to the students at Athens High School who attend as well. Abukamail said, “I’m currently undecided going to college and now I’m really thinking about elementary school education.”

Photo Credits: Lance Ausseresses