Incomplete service hours could cost seniors lost deposits, senior trip

Counselor+Leticia+Rodrigues+discusses+seniors+who+are+behind+in+community+service+hours.

Counselor Leticia Rodrigues discusses seniors who are behind in community service hours.

Blanca Munoz, Reporter

 

The senior trip is just around the corner, but many seniors may not make it if they don’t complete their community service hours.

While the trip is four months away, counselor Martha Piedra said that about 40 percent of the seniors have not met all the requirements. 

“Seniors are informed about their service hours constantly during their senior interview as well as in their failure letters,’’ Piedra said. 

Counselors recommend turning in community service hours as soon as possible.

 “(The due date is) May 1,” Piedra said. “Counselors start checking two weeks prior.” 

During the first semester, seniors are called to their counselors to discuss Senior requirements. If anything is missing they are sent a Senior Requirements Failure letter.

 Senior trip sponsors made the requirements clear at the meeting, students attended with their parents. Although seniors were informed about the requirements, some remain unaware.

“I was not aware of that requirement,” senior Luis Hernandez said. “My hours are not complete, I’ll have to finish them soon.”

Senior Ivone Salas attended the meeting. 

“Most of my community service hours are complete, I just need to turn in my last hours and I will be done,”  Salas said. “I won’t be losing money if I finish my hours on time, so it doesn’t scare me.”

Seniors who have finished more than half of their hours are confident they will finish in time. Those who have not will be in danger of losing their chance to go, as well as their deposits.

The cost is $565 per student. The application fee is $20, and there is a $100 (non refundable) deposit due in December. A monthly payment plan includes payments on Dec. 4, Jan. 10, Feb. 7, March 6, April 3. The trip must be paid by April 3. 

 “We are currently at about 200 students signed up,” senior class sponsor Barbara Garcia Vasquez said.

The trip includes rules such as not entering rooms assigned to members of the opposite gender. Students must inform chaperones their whereabouts at all times, follow an 11 p.m. to sunrise curfew, and stay in their assigned rooms. Drinking and smoking is not permitted. Students are responsible for any damage to the hotel or the bus. They may not leave the hotel unless escorted by a chaperone. 

“Mr. Acuna informed parents that students are expected to be on their best behavior,” Vasquez said. “If any student misbehaves, they will not be allowed to participate in the activities and they may be sent home at parents expenses.’’

Seniors interested in the trip will be put on a waiting list. Seniors that do not complete their hours will be replaced by seniors on the waiting list.

 “We are only accepting seniors for a waiting list. There are no more openings at this time.” Vasquez said. “There are students ready to go on the waiting list.”