by Catie Nadler

“Sometimes we all can get so caught up in our everyday lives that we forget there are people in our community that need our help,” said Ms. Versuk, the advisor of the Host and Hostess Club. With that mentality, she and her students have taken their talents from the kitchen to the community this year, working three community service events around the District to date.

The first event they participated in was October’s Trunk or Treat event at Woodbridge High School, during which they provided cupcakes for the Woodbridge community. In November, the club made and served soup at the Trinity Church soup kitchen, and returned in December to distribute bags of Christmas cookies to those less fortunate.

The opportunity to participate in community service has influenced the students greatly. “It definitely is eye opening for them to see the members of our community that have fallen on hard times and it is especially challenging for them to see small children in need,” said Ms. Versuk, the club advisor.

When going to a soup kitchen, many student’s don’t know what they should expect, and it can change the way a person views life. Students  don’t realize the privileges that they have, and they forget that kids their own age, and even younger, can come across difficult times.

Despite that challenge, the students greatly enjoyed working with the needy in the soup kitchen. “It’s a great way to help out and you learn how some people are unfortunate,” said senior Jada Curbelo, the president of the club, who helps Ms. Versuk instruct other students when they are cooking and baking.

While giving back is a great way to learn how to cook, the main goal of the Host and Hostess Club is to show students with a passion for culinary arts how to prepare food multiple ways. At times, they even serve refreshments for various school functions.

The club will be providing refreshments for the Senior Citizen Play performance and Senior Awards Night, in addition to other school functions.

Besides school functions, Ms. Versuk anticipated one more visit to the Trinity Church soup kitchen later on this semester, but hopes to do even more community service events next year. To join the Host and Hostess Club, students are required to pass Basic Foods 1. They meet every Wednesday in Mrs. Versuk’s room.