In the school year of 2024-2045, the students of St. Mary’s have demonstrated their commitment to service through various initiatives, including river cleanup by grade 8, orphanage gifting by grade 7, and charity readathon by the library council members. These activities have successfully benefited the community through environmental conservation, support for those in need, and fundraising for charitable causes. Jake Nicholson, an 8th-grade student who participated in the river cleanup, shared his experience: “It was fun and we were able to make a positive impact on the environment by cleaning up plastic. We even got to have the longest recess of the year afterwards!” he added enthusiastically.
The recent river cleanup event took place in Futakotamagawa Park along the river, where students participated in collecting litter that would otherwise pollute the waterway. Equipped with tongs, gloves, and bags, students formed teams and headed in different directions for maximum coverage. What began as a service activity quickly evolved into something more competitive. “The game was on!” Kousei Uetani exclaimed enthusiastically. “We were rivals with another team and competed intensely.” The friendly competition allowed students to cover a substantial area, traversing baseball fields and dirt pathways. By the time the period ended, the students had expended most of their physical energy from their efforts to clean up the park. “I could barely walk, let alone stand up!” said Masaaki Kobayashi. “My ankles hurt from all the walking and running to collect trash first.”
The St. Mary’s students collected approximately 14 trash bags of litter along the river, contributing significantly to environmental preservation, wildlife protection, and cleaning up an area frequently visited by local families. Following their efforts, they were rewarded with various activities meant to balance out the work with relaxation. This included solo time, during which students were encouraged to appreciate nature and enjoy quiet reflection. “It was boring but peaceful,” said Toma Shiokawa. “The activities we did were better than a normal school day.” Students also earned a one-hour recess, participating in various sports and games such as volleyball, tag, and baseball in the newly cleaned fields. While relaxing in the fields, Ryusei Kobayashi remarked, “I felt refreshed, and it was like a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we were all able to come together and help the community.” This combination of environmental service and education demonstrated the school’s commitment to stewardship beyond classroom learning.
Another recent charitable initiative was the readathon hosted by the Library Council, a group containing high school and middle school students supervised by Ms. Odate, the school librarian. This event ran from February 1st to February 28th, and involved a period during which students read books of any genre and collected sponsorships based on pages read. Students raised funds for a non-profit organization called Mirai-no-Mori, which “creates life-changing outdoor programs for abused, neglected, and orphaned youths in Japan, supporting their growth into happy and successful young adults,” according to their website. The St. Mary’s community responded by raising an impressive 700,000 yen, which was donated to the organization.
Ms. Odate, the librarian who guided the Readathon, comments on its dual benefits: “All in all, I think this was a win for those who participated because they were helping their reading skills, but also a win for the organization to be able to help children in need.” Jake, a Library Council member who helped during the event, also stated his satisfaction: “The event was a huge success, and I’m happy that we were able to donate all the money to people in need.”
The orphanage gift delivery, another service event of St. Mary’s, took place a few months ago, under the guidance of St. Mary’s students and Mr. Nicholson. This initiative embodied the Christmas spirit of generosity and joy. “I think the tradition of gifting presents to the orphanage each year is one of the most special things we do at St. Mary’s,” states Mr. Nicholson. “It teaches us the importance of kindness, community, and thinking beyond ourselves.” This event involved students purchasing gifts for children in the orphanage and writing personal letters to them. After collecting all the presents, selected students assisted Mr. Nicholson in delivering them by loading a van and traveling to the orphanage.
“It was quite a meaningful experience,” recalls Kousei, a student who visited the orphanage last year. “We performed for the children and sang songs.” This tradition has been maintained for several years, creating a lasting impact on students and gift recipients alike. “I strongly believe we should continue this tradition,” claimed Mr. Nicholson. “It reminds us that even small acts of giving can bring joy and hope to others. I’m proud to be a part of a school that values this kind of service.”
Through these shared experiences, the students of St. Mary’s made positive contributions to their community while gaining valuable opportunities to impact the world. The service initiatives have allowed students to form bonds and learn from peers and teachers that giving can be as fulfilling as receiving. Many participants discovered that charitable activities could be enjoyable and perspective-changing, broadening their understanding of community needs and the world. The dedication shown throughout these service initiatives reveals how deeply charitable values have become embedded in the St. Mary’s community, and how students and teachers are willing to help those beyond and within their community.
