The Lincoln Log

Student volunteers serving food to children

Contributing to the community is a satisfying way of giving to those in need and acknowledging your own good fortune. Often, Abraham Lincoln High School students get so caught up in their own life, they forget to do things to give back to the community.

In Andre Jordans’ American Democracy class, students are reminded daily to contribute back to the community. Thirty students in Jordans’ American Democracy class were chosen to go on a field trip to the IMAX Theater in the Sony Metreon to lend a helping hand on Chief’s Day.

“Chiefs Day was started about five years ago. The purpose was the help young people relate to the police, see them as people, know that they’re actually there to protect and serve,” said field trip coordinator and American Democracy teacher, Andre Jordan. “I think it’s very important because there are some people who have negative images of the police because of their run-ins with them. People need to remember that the police need to protect and serve.”

Students from elementary to middle school participate in Chief’s Day. The police were short-staffed in the past two years, and Lincoln students stepped in to help.

“It [Chief’s Day] was good because it showed a community come together and build better relationships, so people didn’t mistrust people,” said Jordan.

Lincoln has been given the privilege to participate and volunteer in this annual event since it started, and is the only school that has been consistently invited. Students not only help to clean up, but also mentor the youth by setting a good example.

“They prepared and served lunches for the kids who attended and did whatever was needed, ” said Jordan. “If you look at the expression of their faces, they look like proud mustangs. They realized they were doing something for the community, and when you do something for other people, it gives you a feeling inside that you just don’t get any other way,” said Jordan.