Small leaders, big hearts: Lake Villa District 41 students champion community service
Leadership in Lake Villa District 41 isn’t just found in the front office; it is being practiced every day in the hallways and classrooms by students determined to make a difference. This season, student-led initiatives across the district have successfully provided thousands of dollars in toys, hundreds of boxes of food, and vital supplies to local families and animal rescues.
Hooper Elementary: Leading by Giving
At Hooper Elementary, the Student Lighthouse Team established a clear, measurable goal for the academic year: giving back. Under the guidance of staff facilitator Alyssa Kay, these young leaders took full ownership of a community donation drive. The team developed the concepts, designed promotional flyers, and spent their time before and after school meticulously organizing collections.
Their hard work culminated in a personal delivery of supplies to the Lake Villa Food Pantry, Premier Animal Hospital in Mundelein, and Animal Education & Rescue in Libertyville. By witnessing the gratitude of these partners firsthand, students gained a profound sense of empathy and civic responsibility.
Martin Elementary: Stacking Up Kindness
Creativity met compassion at Martin Elementary, where students turned a cereal box drive into a lesson on the “domino effect” of kindness. Families and staff collaborated to collect hundreds of cereal boxes for the Lake Villa and Avon Township Food Pantries.
To celebrate, the school held a “Cereal Box Dominoes” event. Cheers erupted as the boxes — carefully stacked through the hallways — tumbled in a chain reaction, symbolizing how one small act of generosity can trigger a powerful movement.
“It helped students see how working together can make a real difference,” noted school staff.
Thompson Elementary: A Community of Care
The spirit of service continued at Thompson Elementary, where the Student Lighthouse Team focused on tackling local food insecurity. With the overwhelming support of Thompson families, students and staff filled 19 large paper boxes with nonperishable goods. The Lake Villa Food Pantry expressed sincere gratitude for the donation, which was delivered directly to neighbors in need, reinforcing the school’s commitment to leadership and care.
Palombi Middle School NJHS: Spreading Holiday Cheer
Middle school leaders also stepped up to the plate, as members of the National Junior Honor Society conducted their annual toy drive. This year, the school community raised an impressive $1,567.
NJHS students personally used the funds to shop for toys, carefully selecting gifts for children of all ages to ensure a joyful holiday season for all. These gifts were delivered to Lake Villa Township for distribution to local families, continuing a proud tradition of dedication and compassion.