LSHS students gain knowledge outside of the classroom
LSHS students (left to right) - Zaria Smoutherson, Taijuan Miller and Gabriel Holmes pose with job coach, Derek Fewell, after volunteering in the City of Lexington Parks and Recreation Department’s community garden. {Kassaundra Shanette Lockhart/Davidson Local}
During the current school year, Derek Fewell, job coach at Lexington Senior High School, has encountered numerous challenges. As an overseer of the school’s occupational studies program, he’s responsible for securing volunteer opportunities in the community for students. COVID-19 restrictions made this task difficult.
While many organizations and companies welcomed the idea of having student volunteers, social distancing proved to be a hinderance moving forward. At the suggestion of a colleague, he contacted the City of Lexington Parks and Recreation Department. With 21 parks throughout the city, Fewell was excited to collaborate.
“We’re fortunate they gave us the opportunity to volunteer,” said Fewell. “We’ve picked up litter at the Skate Park, Finch Park and the amphitheater. This is a great opportunity for our students to give back to the city.”
The occupational studies program is designed to provide juniors and seniors with a chance to learn in the classroom and community. There is a hope that these opportunities will help participants determine their path for life after high school. Fewell noted that students have been able to learn trades or get hired for jobs after graduation because of the skills they learned in the program. Participants are juniors or seniors.
“It’s always academics first,” noted Fewell. “This is a program based on them having certain hours working around the school, in the community and having paid hours. It goes along with their graduation requirements, which is wonderful. With the diploma, they have the opportunity to go to college. We want to ty and give them as much of a leg up as we can.”
Currently, the students are volunteering in the department’s community garden. They’ve helped till soil, pull up clover and sort through weeds. Next, they will assist Tammy Curry, program coordinator for Parks and Recreation, in planting vegetables, herbs and fruits.
“Our students have been great,” Fewell emphasized. They do a great job, work hard and have a lot of fun. That’s the main thing.”
Building on this partnership and giving the students a chance to master various tasks and trades is a desire of Laura Duran, the department’s director.
“I’m hoping this forms a longer relationship and we can provide them with more opportunities where they can gain some skills,” remarked Duran. “Hopefully, we have them participating in painting and other small projects. There’s always something to do.”
That’s a welcomed notion by the job coach.
“I’m just glad were able to help the community and make a difference,” sad Fewell. “Let these young people have more pride in where they’re from. People in Lexington are very prideful and proud of this city. Why not let them be part of it?”
