Volunteer

Students at American Preparatory Academy Make a Difference with Food Drive

In a remarkable display of community service and leadership, students from the National Honor Society (NHS) at American Preparatory Academy's West Valley 3 campus have taken a stand against childhood hunger in Utah. Led by the innovative ideas of National Honor Society Presidency members Lexi Callister, Emily Ramos De Santiago, Nicolle Cama, and Juliette Belman, and coordinated with their chapter advisor, Mrs. Shalane Carson, these dedicated students partnered with USANA Kids Eat, a vital initiative aimed at eradicating hunger among school children.

USANA Kids Eat, with its mission to ensure no child goes hungry, works tirelessly to deliver meal kits to children in need, particularly focusing on those within Utah schools. This partnership came to life as American Prep students spent an hour of their time packing over 300 meal kits, a testament to their commitment and the difference they aim to make in their community.

The significance of their volunteer work did not go unnoticed, as KSL News was present to document this impactful event. The coverage highlighted not only the students' dedication but also the broader importance of community involvement in addressing critical issues such as food insecurity among children.

The USANA Kids Eat program operates under a powerful vision: to combat childhood hunger, eliminate meal uncertainty, and mobilize the community to support this cause. By establishing strong partnerships, USANA Kids Eat provides a reliable food source for children, allowing them to thrive in school, chase their dreams, and have a peaceful sleep without the worry of where their next meal will come from. This initiative supports over 85 local schools and organizations along the Wasatch Front through its weekend bag program and Holiday Bag Project, ensuring backpacks full of food reach at-risk youth.

This volunteer effort by our West Valley students is a shining example of how youth can lead by example and inspire change. Their work with USANA Kids Eat not only provides immediate relief to families struggling with food insecurity but also highlights the importance of youth community efforts in creating a future where no child goes hungry.

As the community takes notice of these young leaders' efforts, it's a call to action for others to join in and support initiatives like USANA Kids Eat. Every meal packed and every bag delivered makes a significant difference in the lives of children in need. To learn more about how you can contribute to this noble cause, visit USANA Kids Eat and become part of the solution in the fight against childhood hunger.

Please watch the highlight video below from USANA Kids Eat featuring our American Prep students.

September 2023 - Traci Judd, Character Development Administrative Director

At American Preparatory Academy, we extend a warm invitation to our parents, encouraging them to actively participate in our diverse range of educational and enjoyable activities and events. Within our Character Development department, there are numerous opportunities for parents to engage in enriching experiences alongside their children.

Recently, many dedicated parents have volunteered at each of our elementary campuses, lending a helping hand to 5th and 6th-grade students as they acquire new social and educational skills through our on-campus events. Our opening events, "Welcome Aboard the APA FriendSHIP" for 5th grade and "Take Flight" for 6th grade, saw parents guiding students through refreshment lines while fostering connections with peers. They also played roles in facilitating various activities at each station.

Our secondary kick-off events and service activities were also enhanced by the presence of our supportive parents. These included the 9th-grade Unity Hike and Team Building event as well as the 8th-grade Outdoor W.O.R.K. (Wonderful Opportunities to Render Kindness) parties to beautify nearby community facilities.

Here are a few heartfelt comments from our remarkable parent volunteers:

• "I'm amazed! I gained new insights today!"
• "My child loves it when I join in to help their class!"
• "The values APA imparts to my child are truly exceptional and distinct from what we find in public schools."

We realize that our parents' involvement is what helps make APA great! Nearly 45 students from each of our campuses read a portion of the United States Constitution in a live broadcast setting on September 19^th. This memorable event was made even more special by the dedicated efforts of parents who invested their time in rehearsing with their students, nurturing their confidence.

Some of the remarks we received from our parents included:

We extend an open invitation to all our wonderful APA parents to join us whenever your schedules permit.  Keep an eye on your emails and Sign-Up Genius invitations from your child's campus.  Alternatively, feel free to reach out to your campus's Character Development department for information on upcoming events.  We wholeheartedly welcome you to participate in the joy of learning and serving alongside your children!  

D1 -  Connie Maxwell Connie.Maxwell@apamail.org

D2 -  Samantha Etchemendy  Setchemendy@apamail.org

D3 -  Jenny Stratton Jstratton@apamail.org

WV1 - Jamie Jackson Jjackson@apamail.org

WV2 - Tatiana Fetzer tfetzer@apamail.org

Wv3- Gina Jeppson  Gjeppson@apamail.org

Salem - Whitney Hillyard whillyard@apamail.org