Geneva teens, kids team up to serve

Geneva students dug in to a service project Tuesday afternoon, with teenagers and fifth-graders working side by side to spruce up the entrance to Geneva High School.

It was the culmination of the yearlong High Elements Leadership Program, which has juniors and seniors from clubs at Geneva High School share their interests with students at the district's six elementary schools. French, German, Spanish, Scholastic Bowl, drama and culinary clubs, the cheerleading squad and the football team were involved.

But it goes beyond the specific activities, according to organizer Gwen Gelfuso.

"It is more of a mentoring club," she said.

Gelfuso volunteered to start HELP three years ago at Heartland Elementary School, when a PTO-sponsored one-month after-school enrichment program was being discontinued. She thought that, besides being continued, clubs ought to be offered the whole school year. And the former high school teacher figured it could be done with high schoolers' help. The program expanded to all schools this year with the help of high school principal Tom Rogers. (High Elements takes its name from "high" and "elementary" schools.)

This school year, 70 juniors and seniors and 150 fifth-graders took part.

Each club had a "ringleader" who helped Gelfuso. And two of the teens, drama club member Michael Mead and German Club member Molly Kettell, were co-captains of the project. Gelfuso credited Mead with urging her to continue the program this year.

Gelfuso sees service as a part of leadership. The group decided to beautify the entrance of the high school - sort of the fifth-graders' way of serving the teens who have served them.

Tuesday's service project showed the community support behind the effort. Wasco Nursery designed the plan and sold the plants at a discount, Heinz Bros. Greenhouse discounted the two concrete benches, Kane County Landscaping Materials and Supplies donated seven large flagstones that students signed, Tri-Cities Mulch gave 6 yards of mulch, and Gramp's Frozen Custard supplied post-planting treats.

Gelfuso said it is "a joy to see" how the elementary kids enjoy the program, and "how the high school kids get a kick out of them."