Schools
High School Student Group Honored for Volunteerism
San Leandro High School's Jefferson Service group excels among hundreds of similar clubs nationwide; not resting on laurels, students plan a Sept. 20 marathon as a fundraiser.
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A group of San Leandro High School students have distinguished themselves in a public service competition that includes more than 300 schools nationwide that participate in the Jefferson Awards for Public Service.
The group has been active at the school for five years, said advisor Jack Nelson, who has been at San Leandro High for 24 years and teaches U.S. history and sociology.
The group recently got a pat on the back from the San Leandro City Council after they won a bronze star in a nationwide competiton of similar groups.
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Current club president John Lew said that, among other things, the local group organized and ran two marathons to raise money for San Leandro High's cross-country and track and field programs.
Jefferson students here also worked with other service clubs at San Leandro High — including the Key Club, Interact, Octagon and California Scholarship Federation — to help clean up Marina Park.
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In addition, the San Leandro group helped Oakland Charter School to start a Jefferson Awards program, spreading the message of student volunteerism.
Nelson said the group is organizing another fund-raising marathon on Sept. 20. Several students will run from Amador High School in Pleasanton past San Leandro High and on to the Coliseum.
Want to find out more? Nelson said it's OK to e-mail him at jnelson@sanleandrok12.ca.us.
Better yet, mail in a donation check to Jefferson Service, San Leandro High School, 2200 Bancroft Ave., San Leandro, CA 94577.
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