Silver Stage students reach out in service

There aren't a lot of activities available to the students of Silver Stage High School, located between the fairly remote communities of Silver Springs and Stagecoach, with a population of around 360 students.

"Not everybody is an athlete, and not everybody is invited into leadership," said Peggy Edwards. "They needed an organization that would give them a sense of belonging and wholesome activities to be involved in after school."

Working through a grant from Central Lyon Youth Connect, Edwards organized the S-Club about three years ago. It is a community service club chartered by Soroptimists of the Comstock and sponsored by the school.

Starting as a fledgling organization, it has now grown to 20 members.

"Did I think that students would flock to it? No," she said. "But I have been very impressed."

She said the students find a cause to support over the course of the year, then choose smaller projects each month. The projects can benefit the school, the community, the nation or have a worldwide significance.

This year, the main project is bullying prevention. Using grants from the Healthy Communities Coalition and Sierra Arts Council, the students are creating a mural in the school's commons area.

"The mural will bring positive messages to our student body," Edwards said. "They're making the school what they want it to be."

Next week, the students will administer surveys to their classmates to gauge the level of bullying at the school.

"It will help them get a handle on what might be going on so they can combat it more effectively," Edwards said. "They're trying to attack this problem from all ends in a really positive way."

Edwards said she has even seen them approach other students who may be picking on a fellow student.

"I have watched S-Club students go up to them and intervene," she said. "They really have taken a very appropriate activist role."

For their monthly service project, the students are organizing the second annual family game night at the school.

"There's not a lot for families to do in the winter, especially in tough economic times," Edwards explained.

The night will offer board games, music, food and raffle prizes.

The proceeds from the evening will benefit a scholarship in memory of former substitute teacher Denise Pugh, who died a year ago from cancer, as well as a memorial for 2010 graduate Stuart "Tyler" Gardner, who was shot and killed during a burglary at his home last month.

She said students also have collected care packages to send to troops in Afghanistan and are working on creating a Wall of Honor to recognize all alumni who have served in the military.

"I have been so impressed with these students' willingness and commitment to help, even though many of them don't have everything they would like, either," Edwards said.

She credited club president Kassieann Mohler with much of its success.

"She really spread the enthusiasm for the group," Edwards said. "She has elevated the club to a level of importance in the school."

And the opportunity to help others is also helping the students.

"It raises their sense of themselves," she said. "They're learning one person can make a change, and they can be that person."