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Sitting down to write this article has felt a bit weird, if I’m being honest—something about talking up community service projects has always felt a bit strange to me, but we're just so excited about what our kids are working on that I can’t help but share a little. Our students are already proving that making a difference doesn’t always have to be a big production—even small, consistent actions can create a powerful ripple effect.

A Glorious Start: “Cans of Glory” Food Drive

Take, for example, our ASB’s first high school-wide community service project of the year: “Cans of Glory.” One of our student videographers recently interviewed ASB Community Service Project Coordinator, Yuna Bae, who spoke about the heart behind this initiative.

The project encourages each Family Group to collect food to help those in need in our local community. “For Cans of Glory, each Family Group is encouraged to collect as many cans as possible, and all the food will be shared with people in need in our community,” Yuna explained. “We planned this as our September and early October project, collecting until the first week of October, after which our ASB officers will deliver the food.”
The goal, she described, is simple and profound: to not only serve our local community but also to show students that service doesn’t have to be big or intimidating. “Something as simple as buying and donating food together can make a real difference,” Yuna relayed. “The goal is to help everyone experience the joy of working together for a good cause and get the food to people in our community.”

This food drive is addressing a known need, as 11% of residents in San Bernardino County experience low food security (according to San Bernardino County Community Indicators), and one in six children face hunger. While the statistics can be hard to visualize—even with powerful art installations, like the one that hung in the Zapara School of Business lobby last year, that are designed to make the numbers concrete—the need is clear. It’s wonderful seeing the students make a direct difference in our local community, knowing that even a few cans can help.

On top of that, they’re building teamwork in their Family Groups and having a little fun! The Family Group that collects the most food celebrates with a pizza party. It’s a fantastic way to unite our entire high school around a simple yet incredibly impactful cause.

More than a Checkmark: Project IMPACT

Yuna Bae and Ms. Mazo, the administrator in charge of overseeing community service projects, are already “bouncing around other ideas” for future service opportunities. The focus is on giving and serving consistently throughout the year, moving beyond only giving at “big giving” times or simply checking a box (we see you, service hours requirement!).

This quest aligns perfectly with a new initiative from the National Honor Society (NHS) called Project IMPACT. In this new program, students divide into groups and choose a service project that they will dedicate time and effort to for the entire school year. With the support of NHS sponsor, Mrs. Iwasa, it’s been incredible watching their creativity unfold. We’ve been positively surprised more than once by the thoughtful and unique projects they’ve chosen! At the end of the year, we’ll hear even more when they present their experience and the results of their projects.

It is truly wonderful seeing these student-led and staff-supported service projects take shape and gain momentum. We’re not only looking forward to seeing the positive impact on the community, but also watching our students realize the power their actions can hold. They are not too young or too small to make a marked difference.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of "more than me" discovery this year. We can’t wait to share what else we have in store, including Unity Day (coming up October 22, 2025), where we spend time uniting for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion and against bullying (you can join in by wearing your best orange attire), and our school-wide Community Service Day later in the year.