Robin Jackson, 2018 Mesa Citizens of the Year [Photo by Tim Hacker/ Mesa Public Schools]
In addition to Robin, Westwood High School’s Katrina Clontz, Hanna Morgan and Jessica Yan also received the award.
“It’s important to recognize the great volunteer work being done by Mesa Public Schools’ students,” said an association spokesperson. “We want to do more to promote volunteerism in our youth to develop our community leaders of the future.”
Robin earned more than 800 service hours in her high school career. She attributes her desire to make a difference in the world to her parents’ encouragement and support. Robin’s passion for service was sparked in seventh grade when she took Chris Whitehead’s social studies class at Fremont Junior High School.
“Mr. Whitehead made Service-Builders Club a part of his class,” Robin said. “At first, I was intimidated by the service requirement, but recycling club opened my world. I learned even the smallest gestures can have a huge impact.”
Enhancing classroom instruction
Service learning is an important part of Mesa Public Schools. High school students must earn 150 hours to receive the Honor for Excellence in Service Learning seal on their diplomas. Starting with the Class of 2020, the total rises to 200 hours. In the 2016-2017 year, district seventh-graders through 12th-graders earned more than 250,000 service hours.
“Service learning extends learning beyond the classroom and into the community, providing opportunities for students to apply their classroom skills and knowledge to real-life situations,” said Patrick Walsh, director of service learning.
Robin volunteers at Banner Baywood Medical Center, providing aid for the oncology floor and the emergency room. She believes there always are ways to make a person’s life a little better.
She plans to attend the University of Michigan’s School of Nursing and fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. According to Robin, her science and medical coursework help her apply classroom learning to the real world.
“When nurses speak, I totally understand what the medical terms mean,” Robin said, her green eyes dancing with excitement. “Having the medical knowledge helps me be cognizant of the patient’s medical condition and their needs, which makes me a better volunteer. It drives my desire to want to learn more.”
For more information about Mesa Public Schools, please visit mpsaz.org.