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Verona students describe volunteer capstone at Give Kids The World
Summary
Three Verona High students told the board about a capstone volunteer trip to Give Kids The World in Central Florida where they helped with meals, crafts and guest services for Make‑A‑Wish families, reported roughly 112 families present, and encouraged future student participation and local fundraising support.
Three Verona High School students described a recent capstone volunteer trip to Give Kids The World, a nonprofit resort village in Central Florida that hosts Make‑A‑Wish families for cost‑free vacations. Payton Kohler told the board the students volunteered in multiple roles during a five‑day visit and emphasized the difference it made for families. “Give Kids the World is like a resort village in [Central] Florida…they partner with Make a Wish to host up to I believe it's 250 families,” Kohler said.
Grace Patus described hands‑on service including serving breakfast, delivering food and working in the facility's “castle” arts area where Make‑A‑Wish children decorate stars for display. “I got to play with them before,” Patus said, calling that her favorite part of the trip. Another student, Claire, told the board the experience was more positive than the group expected and that many volunteers return year after year. The students said about 112 families were present during their visit and that the site also hosts alumni families.
Board members and staff asked how the students learned of the program; they credited Miss Shakatano, who had connections to a West Essex trip, and said interest is already growing among underclassmen. The students said the trip required a fee but runs on volunteer labor and suggested future fundraising to reduce out‑of‑pocket costs for participants. They also recorded a roughly 12‑minute video of the project that will be posted on the district website.
The board thanked the students for their presentation. Superintendent Diane D. Jeppi and other members encouraged continuing the capstone option and discussed exploring local fundraising to support wider student participation. The school will post the student video on the district website for those who want more detail.
