“Community Studies class is very productive,” explained Sam Thompson, a junior volunteering at the Gordon Behrents Senior Center. “The reason I took this class was that I had one term of open space, but it is well worth taking.”

Thompson helps out at the senior center. “It’s a pretty relaxed atmosphere, and there are lots of games. I help seniors play bingo and dominoes,” he said. “The agency is basically a place provided for senior citizens who may not be able to help themselves.”

To get into the class, students have to fill out an application so the instructor, Mr. Evan Massey, can match the students with the agencies. Students are graded but not in the same way as a regular school class.

“We turn in a paper every Friday to tell how we are doing at our agencies. Mr. Massey also has contact with all the businesses,” Thompson said.

“This class is good for students to learn hands-on work,” he said. “Community service should be required for graduation. It would make more productive students in the community.”