Servathon: Paint, Tools, and Banana Bread

Isabel Smith

 Despite the seniors always teasing the juniors for working in the store, the 12^th grade had to serve there last year. This year, the junior class’ Servathon came faster, since the start of school was pushed ahead. But the juniors were ready to make it productive, and the seniors were ready to make them feel appreciated.

Seeing the juniors off at to the buses on the morning of Friday, the 28^th of September, 11^th graders walking with tools and supplies in hand, reminded the seniors of their own Servathon. Adorning work clothes, the juniors anticipated a day of sweating and working hard, fulfilling their promise to the community and the school.

Every year, it’s a tradition for the seniors to take over the store while the juniors are away at the Servathon. The seniors then throw the juniors a welcome back party in congratulations of the funds they raised and the hard work they put in. Last year, the seniors had Coke floats to give out, as well as a welcome back entourage, complete with a walkway of cheering people as each junior entered the doors of the Student Center, tired, hot, and touched.

The juniors this year went to the mainland for their service project, increasing their travel time. Traffic got in the way of all the buses returning at the same time, but as the juniors slowly trickled in, the seniors clapped and cheered. Seniors mingled about the Student Center, as juniors finally had the time to sit and chat, snacks in hand. Banana bread, Ribena, and cold towels were given out as the 11^th graders relaxed in the air con. Even more impressive, despite working all day and coming back wanting only to take a shower and a nap, the juniors stayed on campus and helped sell junior class items in front of the gym for the Spike ‘n’ Strike spectators. While the juniors were out, the seniors worked in the store once again and had fun for nostalgia’s sake.

Vivien Chang (12) said, “They came at almost 6. Most of the stuff we prepared had to be in the fridge, so we kind of stole their store. When they came, it was a few people in the beginning, and a bunch of people came way later. We had to put the snacks in the fridge again. After the first group of juniors left [to help sell items at Spike ‘n’ Strike], us seniors had some fun in the Student Center. They [the juniors] seemed very tired, they had paint all over themselves. Mr. Jens was pretty much dead. After preparing and handing out food, I was able to talk to them.”

The juniors stayed on campus that night, supporting the school teams and helping sell things. Even though the juniors and seniors didn’t see the work the other class put into the day, there was appreciation and encouragement enough for all.