The Student Government Association (SGA) is a superb program at FCHS that provides students with the opportunity to volunteer their time and help those in need.  During the course of a week, students in SGA are required to participate in at least one community service project during their class time. MACCA, Fork Union Senior Center, SPCA, Central Elementary School and Camp Friendship are just a few of the places where SGA students are have volunteered their time. “I love giving back to the community and volunteering my time to help others,” said senior Antonia Wilson.

One of the most common places that students are volunteering their time is at the local SPCA. “Going to the SPCA every week to give the animals some love is such a highlight in my school week. They have so many adorable cats and dogs and I hope they all find a home someday soon,” said senior Madalyn Guthrie. Walking the dogs and playing with the cats is a great way for the animals to get some fresh air and for the SGA students to put in some volunteer work. “I enjoy walking dogs and playing with the kittens but I tend to stick with the kittens because I’m not the biggest person,” said Wilson.

On Fridays, SGA participates in an event known as “Fluco Friends” at Central Elementary School.  This event was designed to get high school students involved with the elementary kids in the county. The SGA students are assigned to a classroom and are available to help the teacher with whatever they may need. The teachers have SGA students do various activities such as reading books to their classes, leading a class project or playing with the kids on the playground. “I really enjoy reading books to the class and seeing their smiling faces while I read aloud to them,” said Wilson.  The SGA students look forward to Fridays and many say it’s their favorite part of SGA at the high school. “I admire going over to Central. I have so much fun playing with the kids and making their days brighter,” said Guthrie.

Teaching senior citizens how to be “tech savvy,” putting on their Valentine’s Dance and helping out in their center are ways that the SGA is volunteering their time at the Fork Union Senior Center. “Seniors for seniors” is a great event that students in the SGA class came up with to interact with the seniors at the center. Seniors at FCHS write notes and inspirational cards to send over to the seniors at the center. “Interacting with the senior citizens is a great thing that FCHS seniors are involved in,” said SGA advisor David Small.

SGA is a remarkable program that allows high school students to volunteer and share their time with the community in many ways. While the usual high school students are sitting in their fifth period, SGA students are strategizing for new ways to reach out to the community and to improve their class. “Volunteering for the community is a great way for the students to get out in the community and interact with adults,” said Small.

Signups for the 2014-2015 SGA will begin at the end of February and will be available for all rising juniors and seniors. You may pick up a form in room 4505.