Eighth-grader Michelle Littlefield was having a challenging time serving bread rolls Monday at the end of the Thanksgiving buffet she and her classmates organized at Holy Redeemer School.
Competing with turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing on the buffet line, organized by the La Crescenta Pioneer Club, was a tall order.
“Maybe because I’m last and they don’t have room on their plates,” Littlefield said.
A few dozen seniors were treated to the 14th consecutive Thanksgiving Day feast Monday at Holy Redeemer School. Students were responsible for setup, cleanup and assembling the menu of traditional Thanksgiving offerings.
The seventh- and eighth-graders were mastering community service, and one of the school’s learning expectations and tenets, school officials said.
“This is a community builder,” said Principal Susan Fite. “So often seniors only hear bad things about children on the news . . . here they’re seeing children who want to give.”
Holy Redeemer students are expected to be lifelong learners, physically confident, socially aware and responsible citizens.
“At the end of the day, we want a majority of the curriculum to match these expectations, in addition to the state standards,” Fite said.
Many of the students had told their parents they were looking forward to meeting and serving seniors.
“It’s just plain nice to help people,” said Chris DeAngelis, an eighth-grader serving mashed potatoes. “I’d ask them what their favorite part of today was, what their favorite part of their life was, and how they acted as a child.”
Daniel Medina, a seventh-grader, was clearing plates and dishing out whipped cream and pumpkin pie.
“They’re really nice and like talking about their grandsons and family,” he said. “It’s hard work; a lot of people want dessert.”
Bob Clark said the service was impeccable.
“Today’s behavior was great, and they are very polite,” he said. “Normally, all we see are the negative aspects of children, and this was very positive.”
Across the table, Robert Lorenz said he was going to tell students to get into the stock market when they’re older. His tip: oil.
“There’s so much food,” he said. “I have two kids helping me.”
And for organizers, that was the point.
“It’s a valuable experience working as a group, preparing for others and sharing what they have,” said Suzanne Keogh, a history teacher. “And once everyone leaves, they have to clean it all up.”
