Morgan Riegel, president of both the National Honor Society (NHS) and Mu Alpha Theta (MAT), recently led a visit to the Laurel Center as part of an effort to combine school-wide outreach with community service. The collaboration was inspired by a suggestion from the organization’s advisor, who encouraged members to participate in a service that extended beyond the school. Morgan chose the Laurel Center for personal reasons, explaining, “My great-grandma was a resident there, so the center is special to me.”
During the visit, students spent time talking with residents and participating in activities together. Many residents showed interest in the students’ futures, asking about their plans after high school and sharing stories from their own lives in return. “As a group, we played bingo with them, and the residents really enjoyed it; we could tell it meant a lot to them,” Morgan noted.
While the visit was largely what students expected, Morgan mentioned that the health and safety procedures stood out. “They needed to ensure we were healthy to protect their residents,” she said, referring to the strict sign-in and precautionary measures required upon arrival.
The experience reinforced the value of community service for members of NHS and MAT. According to Morgan, service opportunities like this allow students to gain life experience while also giving back to others. Reflecting on the visit, she shared, “After the experience, I was very happy that I went, and I left knowing I made someone’s life a little brighter for the day.”
Looking ahead, NHS and MAT hope to return to the Laurel Center with a larger group. Morgan explained that the students were invited back and are eager to continue building a positive relationship with the Laurel Center community.
