NPHS students give back locally through volunteering
NPHS is filled with clubs and interest groups, often led by high schoolers that want to better the community. From raising money for charity organizations to donating time to helping others, students work to leave a positive impact on their community.
To achieve his goal of creating a productive student-led organization to protect the environment, last September, Krish Devgania, junior, founded the Hiking and Outdoors Activities Club [HOA]. This group focuses on improving local conditions through community service projects outside of school, like keeping local trails clean and picking up trash. “The founding of this club has allowed me to meet new people and continue to connect with and learn more about the outdoors. Volunteering has affected my life in an unimaginable way, as I get to meet new people and make a positive impact on my community,” Devgania said.
Following in the footsteps of his friends, Glen Dsouza, junior, has spent the last three years volunteering as a part of Key Club. Dsouza is this year’s vice president and the division’s executive assistant. As executive assistant, Dsouza checks on and aids in the management of multiple high school Key Clubs such as Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Santa Susana and Moorpark. The Key Club grants high schoolers the opportunity to help the community by volunteering at senior homes, animal shelters and doing gardening work. “After joining [Key Club] and attending some meetings, I realized that the club was driven by people who really wanted to do good, which I appreciated and admired,” Dsouza said.
Determined to make an impact on her community, Jovie Konantz, junior and vice president of the Make-A-Wish Club, spends her time volunteering and fundraising. A typical meeting in Make-A-Wish includes a presentation followed by crafts or games. This club has an upcoming candy gram fundraiser, where they are partnering with the NPHS Cancer Awareness Club to raise money for the international Make-A-Wish Foundation. “Being a part of [the Make-A-Wish and Cancer Awareness Clubs] have given me the chance to meet new people and be able to share experiences. I enjoy volunteering because I’m making a difference in my community by helping people and bringing smiles to their faces,” Konantz said.
Despite balancing the responsibilities that school, work and extracurriculars present, Devgania prioritizes serving those in need, and one of his favorite activities has been helping his elderly neighbors by dog walking, gardening and assisting them with around the house activities. Devgania’s motivating force on why he volunteers is that he believes it is the right thing to do. “I enjoy helping all people, regardless of age, because [it gives me] the opportunity to make some’s day become better and have a positive impact,” Devgania said.
