Waynesboro students are national service leaders

FBLA chapter compiles most community service hours in U.S.

March 10, 2008|By JENNIFER FITCH

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Waynesboro Area Senior High School's Future Business Leaders of America chapter recorded the most community service hours among the nation's FBLA chapters during the 2006-07 school year.

Faculty adviser Caroline Tassone said she knew the school was ranked No. 1 in the state, but was surprised when the announcement was made at the national convention.

The 150 members of the local chapter fulfilled 24,000 hours of community service in 2006-07, according to Tassone.

"This year, we're very close or surpassing that," Tassone said.

Among the volunteers dedicating hours to various causes are friends Nicole Salsgiver and Tiffany Kenote.

"We do 'Big Chiefs.' It's the school store," said Tiffany, 18.

"Someone needs to do it, and me and Tiffany can rely on each other," said Nicole, 17.

The seniors arrive each morning when the school's doors are first being unlocked for the day. They have gotten to know "the regulars" who purchase drinks such as hot chocolate and cappuccino before school.

The most popular drinks, the girls said, are the "chocolate delight" smoothies. Estimates are that they sell more than 40 a day over lunchtime.

The store also sells school supplies, including binders and pencils, as well as spirit apparel designed by students.

"All that money is toward FBLA," Nicole said.

"We don't pay the people who work the stands because then it's not community service," Tiffany said.

However, the chapter has been exploring the possibility of dedicating the proceeds to a scholarship, she said.

The store runs as a partnership with Brian Fisher's entrepreneurship class, which markets the merchandise. A classmate's father built new stands on wheels.

"We had a huge roadblock because of construction. They took down what had been the store," Nicole said. Ultimately, though, the renovated high school will have a walk-in store, she said.

Tiffany and Nicole said they're not really sure why they joined FBLA, but admitted they get easily bored if they are not constantly busy. They've been recommending membership in the organization to other students.

"It is a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun," said Nicole, who wants to take online courses from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and do Web site design.

"We like to meet new people and have fun with it," said Tiffany, who wants to work in massage therapy after graduation.

The pair agreed that FBLA has taught them a good work ethic.

"When you're responsible and reliable, you get recognized and that feels good," Tiffany said.

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