Serving With Purpose: STA Community Makes an Impact This Fall

Written by Student Contributor, Isioma Odum, Class of 2027

Photos courtesy of Diane Fucci, STA Service Coordinator

Service done for the community is a passionate effort rooted in providing goodwill for others. This fall, our school community volunteered to help those in need in and outside of school. At St. Thomas Aquinas High School, service is a community effort by students and teachers alike.

In September, students and parents came together to participate in the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Walk with Mrs. Fucci and her family to raise awareness for the condition and help fund research to find a cure. Together, compassion, unity and commitment were demonstrated toward children and families affected by the condition. The STA community helped shed light on the disorder and contributed to the fight for improved treatments, a possible cure and hopeful futures.

STA students also came together to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. With the combined efforts of the students, hundreds of meals were made and given to those in need. The effort helps provide nourishing meals that serve a purpose beyond visiting the soup kitchen itself. The needs for comfort, care and dignity were shared with members of the community who rely on these resources.

As temperatures dropped in October, 43 bags of coats and blankets were donated to FISH Inc. With the generous efforts of the STA community, warmth and comfort were provided to those in need in preparation for the colder months. The success of the drive showcases the compassion and unity our community brings to serving others, defining the spirit of our school.

Students also went to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen to volunteer by preparing and serving meals to those in need. They worked in the kitchen and interacted with guests, learning about service, dignity and the importance of helping others. The experience taught students the value of empathy, humility and active citizenship while providing needed assistance to those who are less fortunate.

As the first quarter came to a close, students traveled to the Veterans Home in Menlo Park to spend time with and assist veterans residing there. Having conversations, offering help and playing games with the residents were just some of the activities students participated in. Through these moments of enthusiastic warmth, students helped brighten the residents’ day.

“Service is one of the pillars of our school. Students, faculty and administrators participate in multiple service activities each year,” said Mrs. Diane Fucci, STA Service Coordinator. “These opportunities open our eyes to the world outside of STA and make us appreciate all the gifts God has given us.”

At St. Thomas Aquinas, service is a purposeful expression of faith, lived out by the entire school community.