West Potomac’s SHOUT Program Benefits Community

Members of ’s class of 2011 were a hit in the community by completing more than 4,000 hours of service in June through the schools SHOUT program.

SHOUT stands for Students Helping Others, United Together. Half of the service hours were donated to community organizations including Gum Springs Head Start, Habitat for Humanity-Restore, United Community Ministries, Delaware State Parks and No Worries Now, a nonprofit that organizes proms for teens with life-threatening illnesses.

Also, more than 2,000 SHOUT hours were performed at schools in the West Potomac school pyramid. Students planted gardens, painted murals, organized closets, helped teachers and assisted younger students during their last month of school.

Adriana Meeks, coordinator of program and head librarian at West Potomac, said students go out into the community and serve others for two weeks through the program.

“What it does it is builds a tremendous relationship between the students and the community,” Meeks said. “Our elementary schools and the elementary teachers actually look forward to receiving our students and other organizations that have worked with our students are really happy with them.”

“ … It gives the students a way to reach out to the community and thank them for supporting the school, and it also gives the community an opportunity to work with students. It’s relationship building, and its all positive.”

Of 500 seniors, 134 participated in SHOUT, which was established by the class of 2010 as a community service and civic engagement project.

Most West Potomac students are required to volunteer in the community through their English or social studies classes. SHOUT offers an additional opportunity for students to volunteer.