There’s been a prolonged rush of seniors trying to complete the minimum number of LTS hours. This year’s senior who has the most hours is Ben Hammel, who logged a whopping 1,127 hours.

Hammel took his free time seriously, and started volunteering immediately in the beginning of freshman year. Some of the activities that he participated in included coaching basketball teams at Clark Lane Middle School, working at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature in Mystic, and helping in soup kitchens at Groton and Norwich. The most activities he participated in at the same time was three, though this wasn’t a struggle for him.

“I remember my freshman year, I got about a little bit over 400 hours,” Ben says proudly. “[Volunteering] gives me a sense of pride because I am giving back to my community.”

Mrs. Cairns, Learning Through Service coordinator, has a few words to say: “The most [LTS hours] I’ve seen completed was over 1,000. So, Ben was pretty close.” Mrs. Cairns smiles. “I admire it when students spend hours and hours helping out their community and giving back to [the community]. It truly impresses me.”

Mrs. Cairns hopes that students take volunteerism seriously and continue to help out in whatever community they happen to live.