The graduating seniors at Bromfield aren’t quite ready to leave—not until they leave their mark with community service projects that they will present to a committee of residents and then display for the rest of the town May 16. Many seniors this year have exceeded the 40-hour requirement. Some plan to continue their activities even after graduation.

Seniors Greta Hutch­inson and Rebecca Reusch are working at a no-kill animal shelter in Sterling. Their work consists of playing with, feeding, and washing more than 30 new puppies and kittens a week and answering questions for prospective adopters. Together the two have worked almost 80 hours since the beginning of the year and continue to volunteer.

“This is something that I always wanted to do, but never had the time for,” Reusch said. “The required senior project motivated and pushed me to implement it into my busy schedule.”

Seniors Patrick Coffey and Evan Clark have been hard at work since September in the school’s recycling program. Together they have worked approximately 50 hours picking up and sorting through the bottles and cans Bromfield students discard. They will continue until the end of the school year.

“It’s dirty work,” Coffey said. “We have to sort through everyone’s trash and find the stuff that’s worth redeeming, but it’s worth it for a safe environment and a cleaner school.”

Senior Hannah Kenna teaches Sunday school at her church in Bolton to first- and second-grade girls every Sunday, and has since school started. Kenna directs specific activities and provides a role model for the girls she teaches. “We usually only have four to six girls so I’ve really become close to them,” said Kenna, “and they do have a great time. I feel it’s important to teach the girls all the same things I learned at their age.” She added that it has been nice to know that she has helped create such a positive atmosphere for them to grow and develop in.

Other community service participants include Emily Ferment, Ellie Cherington, and Jamie Kendall, who organized a Darfur awareness night for Harvard, which included one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, who gave a presentation.

Senior Lizzy Malone planned a food drive for Loaves & Fishes and created a papier-mâché fish to attract the students at Bromfield. Her dedication—as well as her artwork—helped bring in more than 500 pieces of food.

“The variety of areas that our senior class is addressing and participating in this year is incredible,” Coffey said. “Students have really reached out and seem to be really passionate about what they’re doing to help.”