April 3, 2026 - Service Learning Blog
Student Service Learning Blog Writers
Developing a Schoolwide Program
By Arjun Subramanian (Grade 11), Treasurer of the High School Student Council
The Grade 5 compassion project meeting buzzed with energy and real excitement. You could feel genuine curiosity in the room, as younger students jumped right in, eager to connect with the high school service learning student leaders. It wasn’t just about meeting older students; it was about making connections, asking the right questions, and digging into what it means to make a difference.
The Grade 5 students came prepared. Their questions didn’t skim the surface; they got right to the heart of what matters. It was clear these students wanted to understand how they could turn their compassion projects into real change.
And the high schoolers? They matched that energy. They shared stories from their own experiences and didn’t sugarcoat anything. They talked about why service matters. Dylan Koo (grade 11) said, “There’s no point in having tools you will never use.” That line stuck, not just because it’s true but because it related to our lives so deeply. Service learning is about using your skills in ways that matter.
Zarah Aye Tun (grade 11), Vice President of the High School Student Council, added that “Service learning isn’t just about being a leader - it’s about learning skills and giving back to the community.” You could see the Grade 5 students taking these words to heart.
What really brought everything together was the way high school students stepped up as mentors. They didn’t just talk; they guided and inspired the younger students, showing them that leadership is something you grow into one step at a time. And with teachers like Mr. Schumaker and Ms. Grecu supporting the process and connecting it to the Grade 5 curriculum, the whole session felt purposeful.
In the end, this meeting wasn’t just a one-off. It showed how service learning runs through the ISY community. Younger and older students work side by side, pushing each other to grow and make a lasting impact together.