Monroe, WA – Fifteen Sky Valley Education Center students have lettered in community service this year, in only the third year of the school’s affiliation with the United Way program.

The United Way compared how much time a high school athlete or musician puts into their activity and created a community service letter. This community service award has similar time requirements and the same recognition – a varsity letter.

This year’s lettering students are: Aiden Emmons, Lydia Borstad, Rachel Stockwell, Dylan Ash, Jeremy Ash, Frances Scott-Weiss, Alexandra Ash, Emily Parry, Natalie Parry, Corrine Booth, Allyson Farstad, Connor Cheney, Trevor Lee, Shannon White, and Nathan Sherman.

Teens have to complete 145 hours of community service, including at least one full school event. “They have to set up and tear down for a choir concert, science fair, or spelling bee,” explained Sarah Parry, counselor at Sky Valley Education Center (SVEC) and the school coordinator of the project. “Fifty of their hours also need to be completed through a non-profit organization.”

The goal of the United Way’s program is to not only volunteer but learn how to connect.” “Not only within the school but outside the school community and how to work those relationships,” explained Parry. “The hours with a nonprofit help them learn how to get connected. It’s a lot of those soft job skills, how to show up on time, how to talk, look somebody in the eye.”

“We wanted to offer a way for students who have non-sports achievements to be able to put it on their college, scholarship or job applications,” said Jessica Gaitan of the United Way of Snohomish County. “Looking at athletics and music, those aren’t for every kid, but we recognize there are a lot of kids who do community service.”

Karen Rosencrans, principal at SVEC noted that the school has the largest participation in the program of any school in the area. “We are so proud of our students who serve their community,” she said.

Over the next 2 years the United Way will be turning the varsity letter requirements toward having all the hours aligned with the United Way’s focus towards breaking the cycle of poverty. “We’re excited,” said Gaitan. “It’s a big goal.”