PIMS Student Council
gives back to furry friend
Staff photos/Scott Mitchell Johnson
SAY CHEESE — Last Friday, 13 members of the Presque Isle Middle School Student Council volunteered at the Central Aroostook Humane Society as part of the Council’s first-ever Day of Service. While the morning was spent walking dogs and cleaning, in the afternoon the students paired up and each team took a dog out on the lawn to socialize with.
They also wrote down their observations about the dog’s behavior and took pictures with a digital camera which will enable manager Betsy Hallett to update the shelter’s Petfinder website. Here, Sydney Craig, left, and Skyler Ellis try to get Mittens to look at the camera.
THE PRESQUE ISLE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL spent last Friday volunteering at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Earlier in the year, councilors received permission to hold a Day of Service in the community, and after exploring a number of options, voted to work at the animal shelter. Participating in their first-ever Day of Service were, from left, front row: sixth-graders Elizabeth Collins, treasurer-elect; Grace Bemis, Desireeth Porquin and Ethan Jackson. Middle row: seventh-graders Skyler Ellis, Sydney Craig, Braden Paul, president-elect; Natalie Bates, vice president; and Greyson Sonntag. Back row: Casey Johnson, adviser; and eighth-graders Victoria Williamson, treasurer; Patrick Cash, secretary; Kamden Bates, president; and Nick Bartlett. Not present for the activity were Jacob Sjoberg, Miranda Drost and Jack Morningstar.
WASHING AND DRYING food dishes and litter boxes at the Central Aroostook Humane Society are, from left: Greyson Sonntag and Ethan Jackson, members of the Presque Isle Middle School Student Council. Other tasks councilors completed included walking dogs, cleaning cages, sweeping and mopping floors, and assisting with laundry.
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Though they’ve been busy this school year working to make positive changes for their classmates, the Presque Isle Middle School Student Council spent last Friday making a difference in the lives of the cats and dogs at the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
Earlier in the year, councilors received permission to hold a Day of Service in the community, and after exploring a number of options, voted to volunteer at the humane society.
“Helping to clean at the animal shelter really kind of hit us … we wanted to get involved with it,” said Kamden Bates, Student Council president. “We voted on which project we wanted to do, and the majority picked the animal shelter.
“Our school represents our community … it’s our community … so we thought giving back was something that needed to be done,” he said. “It’s sad to see all these animals here, but it’s not their fault; for whatever reason their owner couldn’t keep them. If we can do something to help them, it’s worth it.”
Thirteen students spent almost the entire day performing such tasks as walking dogs, cleaning cages, washing and drying litter boxes and food dishes, sweeping and mopping floors, and assisting with laundry.
In the afternoon, the students paired up and each team took a dog out on the lawn to socialize with. They also wrote down their observations about the dog’s behavior and took pictures with a digital camera which will enable manager Betsy Hallett to update the shelter’s Petfinder website.
“This has been really good for the animals. On a daily basis, we don’t get to take that quality time with them, so we’re always welcoming people to come volunteer and spend time socializing with the cats and dogs,” said Hallett. “With the students having the time to spend with the dogs, it gives us a little more insight as to what the dog is like, so in the long run, it’s going to make it better for the dogs because when people come in and ask questions, the kids have already done a little bit of an evaluation for me. This has been a really nice day.
“The kids have been great and have been really good with the animals. It makes me feel good to know that there are so many kids growing up that are going to be really good pet owners and have a whole better understanding what it’s like for the animals when they’re here,” Hallett said. “Some of the animals that they’ve spent time with today just came in yesterday, so the kids are helping make that transition easier. This has been amazing and very much appreciated. Some of the boys have impressed me because they started out hosing out the dishes and there was not one complaint. They were really good about it; I find some adults who come in and say, ‘I cannot do that.’ The kids were wonderful and I hope we can do this again.”
Seventh-grader Sydney Craig said she was happy to spend the day with the animals.
“The animal shelter is a fun place to volunteer, and I think we did a really good job,” she said. “I’ve gotten the joy of helping these animals, and I’ve learned a lot of things like how to walk a dog, how to feed them, and what you do with kittens when they’re first born.
“I think doing this again next year would be worthwhile,” said Craig. “Actually doing it several times a year would be nice. It would be good if we could go to some other places in the community, as well, to show that we’re not just committed to our school work, but to the community, too.”
Marla Williamson was one of the parent volunteers who helped with the Day of Service.
“I think it’s really good that the kids are out in public and giving back to the community. When I first heard my daughter, Victoria, talk about it, I thought it was fantastic and a great opportunity to volunteer,” said Williamson. “I have allergies, so we don’t have pets at home, but Victoria has volunteered here before. She was really excited to be able to come and be with her peers and have that experience.
“It’s one thing for a kid to say that they want an animal, but to learn what it really entails is a different experience. This hands-on service project may enlighten some of the kids. I’m glad they had this opportunity,” she said. “Plus you’re never too young to start volunteering.”
For more information on volunteering at the animal shelter, call 764-3441 or log onto www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org.
