At St. Thomas Aquinas High School, service and community engagement are at the core of our mission. Recently, 31 students, alongside Mrs. Fucci and Mrs. Marucci, spent a day volunteering at Longmeadow Farms in Blairstown, NJ, through Grow-a-Row International. The group worked together to glean apple orchards, rescuing a total of 1,570 pounds of apples. Their efforts provided 6,280 servings of nutritious produce to individuals facing food insecurity.
The day began with students and teachers reflecting on their "why"—why they were there, why service matters, and how many crops across farms can go to waste despite food insecurity in local communities. Equipped with this knowledge, they set out to make a real difference, ensuring that these apples would go to people who truly need them, rather than be left to spoil.
After returning to school, the group gathered to debrief and share their reflections on the day’s impact. Mrs. Fucci, Director of Student Service, shared, “It was a great first service trip of the year! I thoroughly enjoyed working with the students to make a difference. Our students are always willing to help others, and this activity showed just how hard they will work to do so. I look forward to many more service trips throughout the year.”
One of the attendees, senior Jack Valenzuela, had this to say about his experience: “Hearing the numbers at the end and knowing what we were able to accomplish with only 30 people was really impressive and it really will make an impact on so many people’s lives.”
This service trip is just one of many opportunities STA offers for students to grow as compassionate leaders, grounded in the values of service, faith, and hard work. Experiences like this reinforce our belief that education extends beyond the classroom, providing students with the tools to become active and engaged members of their communities.
As we continue through the year, we look forward to seeing our students and teachers come together for more impactful service trips that make a difference for those in need.