Students learn how to give back

WEBUTUCK ­— Students in grades seven through 12 have the opportunity to learn more than what’s between the covers of their books through a community volunteer program headed up by technology education teacher John Roccanova.For the past 15 years, “Mr. Rock,” as he’s affectionately known, has helped middle and high school students match up with local organizations to volunteer their time to help those in need. This year alone there are 90 students participating, donating thousands of hours of their free time. According to Webutuck High School Principal Ken Sauer, the program is so successful because of the man who stands behind it.“The fact is John’s a guy who really believes in volunteering and instilling in kids the necessity for being a community servant,” said Sauer, who himself is no slouch for setting a good example. “We’re happy for John to keep track of that so when a kid reaches 75 hours we can award him a half credit.”Other schools mandate their students fulfill community service hours, but at Webutuck, teachers and administrators only encourage that sort of commitment, and say they’re amply rewarded when students step up to the plate.“The kids like to help out,” Roccanova said. “They feel good about it and know it looks good on their college transcripts — but that’s not why they do it — it means more than that.”Roccanova said it was his own experience volunteering that led him to become an educator.“It’s probably how I got into teaching,” he said. “I was a volunteer with the Sioux Indian YMCA in South Dakota for a couple of summers.”And for students like 16-year-old Prachi Patel, a junior at the high school, that link between volunteering and vocation is no accident.“I always wanted to become a doctor, and was looking for a first-hand experience volunteering,” she said. “I also wanted to help people as I was getting my experience, so the past two summers have been very satisfying for me.”Patel has been volunteering at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, and she said Roccanova made special efforts to get her placed there, just as he did previously to get her placed both at Little Professors Day Care and at Sharon Health Care Center.“It’s amazing,” she said. “He’s been a lot of help. He knew I wanted to do something [like this] and was kind enough to contact them on my behalf.”When asked, Prachi gave Roccanova a “10” rating, adding his commitment to the students and his ability to keep them committed, is priceless.And others who volunteer, like Courtney Spaulding, a 15-year-old 11th-grader who volunteered at the nature-camp Camp DeBruce, said the rewards gained from volunteering go beyond preparing for future employment. They strike close to the heart, she said, which is why she sometimes volunteers at the Millerton Fire Company without logging hours for credit.“If I wanted to I could hand in a sheet but I don’t always bother, because I just want to do it,” Courtney said. “For me it’s not just about getting the credit. It’s knowing you helped your community. It’s helping people and doesn’t matter who they are or what situation they’re in.”Senior Vincent Bryan McDonald, 17, agreed. He said growing up he had mentors that he looked up to, and that he wanted to provide that same kind of support to other youngsters. That’s why he volunteered as a camp counselor.“I love helping the kids,” Vincent said. “When I was growing up some teenagers sort of adopted me and I liked that, so I decided to help other kids.“The fact that I give back shows it’s not just about money but the fact that you’re helping out, that you’re there, that you’re somebody people can talk to and bond with and you can be there for people who need you.”To learn more about how to get involved in the volunteer program at Webutuck, contact Roccanova at jroccano@webutuckschools.org.