Features: A Message from Claes Nobel A Message from Outgoing Student Council Advisory Board Highlights New Student Council College-Bound Advice The Value of Taking AP Classes Begin College Applications Now My Take on the SAT Getting a Head Start Never Hurt Anybody Spotlight on Service -- From your own Backyard to a Nicaragua Village The Power of Committed Citizens -- Helping the Poor in Nicaragua J.M.H. Academy Volunteer Effort -- Cordele, Georgia, Health and Rehabilitation Center Giving Back to Your Local Community Special Opportunities -- Students Take Advantage of Exciting Programs AFS Exchange Program -- Living in Brazil Summer Business Institute -- LEAD (Leadership Education and Development) Summer in Switzerland for Natasa Kovasevic Food for Thought For the Devout Carb-Quitters: New Bread that is Literally Nothing Living Successfully J.M.H. Academy Volunteer Effort--Cordele, Georgia, Health and Rehabilitation Center by Christopher Riley J. M. H. Academy Cordele, Georgia My name is Christopher Riley. I am reporting on a volunteer effort from J. M. H. Academy. A select few from J. M. H. Academy have been volunteering at a local nursing home, Cordele Health and Rehabilitation Center, in Cordele, Georgia. Lately every Thursday we have helped cheer up the residents of Cordele Health and Rehabilitation Center. Initially, when we arrived at the nursing home we saw people sitting around staring at walls, walking around, looking for something to do. We believed that the residents needed cheering up, and that's why we chose to visit Cordele Health and Rehabilitation Center. We tried to bring and add more life to the small community. When we arrived at the Center we gathered everyone into the dining hall to have some fun! We engaged the residents in activities like playing the piano, singing songs, reading poetry, short stories, and their favorite--playing BINGO! We offered to buy them useful items, like gloves, house shoes, and socks, (it gets pretty cold in there, trust me; but I understand the cold temperature helps control germs and bacteria from spreading). We also offered to write letters to family members, pray with them, play chess, and checkers. We are there and available to help in whatever areas we can ... We take time on that Thursday afternoon, to talk to the people, and just be there, or as one of the nurses said, "Bring a nice firm cheek to pinch!" Just think, all of those people sitting in the nursing home who use to be just like you and me -- smart, fast thinking, and most importantly, able to do for themselves. But for now, they take residence in a home, a home full of nurses. Unfortunately, most of the people have no choice as to where they can live. So, I ask you‹ everyone who reads this, to think of how you can make someone else's later years on this earth more pleasant. You never know when someone might not be there tomorrow. As my Grandfather says, "It is always nice, to treat someone else nice." In other words, always be kind; someday you will want people to be nice to you! << Back to Journal Home page