HAGERSVILLE—If you’ve ever been helped by a polite, courteous student at an event in the Hagersville or Jarvis area, there is a good chance they’re a member of Hagersville Secondary School’s (HSS) Crime Stoppers group.
With a membership fluctuating between 25-60 students in a given year, the group has been many things to many students over the years, evolving with the times depending on “circumstance, members, and the school climate,” according to Staff Advisor Andrea Reicheld-King.
The heart of the group is rooted in volunteer work. The group partners with community organizations including boards of trade, Lions Clubs, and food banks. Members can be found serving tables at dinners, collecting donations, stocking shelves, and helping with children’s events.
Reicheld-King finds it inspiring to see the group offering their time and support to several worthwhile endeavours while countering stereotypes about today’s young people by showing true commitment to their communities.
In addition to benefitting their community, group members gain valuable experience toward their future goals.
King noted, “Student groups that work collectively to make positive change gain life experiences that teach them to work as a team, to speak up for what is right, and to really care about something that is important. These are all qualities in good character development that they take with them into the world.”
Christmas is a particularly busy time for the group, with members involved in Jarvis Light Up, two different Breakfast with Santa events, the local Santa parade, working on various food drives in the community, and more.
“I had 30 students go to the Christmas carnival in Jarvis to help guide guests, control crowds, workstations/booths, and promote cheer in the crowd in front of the grand stage. The Light Up committee, in appreciation, purchased and mounted a Crime Stoppers sign to advertise in the community,” said Reicheld-King on one recent partnership.
“Often for our efforts, we receive donations that we put toward school and/or community improvements that are crime or safety related,” said Reicheld-King. “For example, we purchased solar panel lighting for the track at our school, which the community uses for walking; we have purchased cameras for inside the school; have brought in and paid for self-defence instruction for graduating females before they go off to school or work.”
Prior to Covid, the group held an annual community breakfast for over 25 years, serving over 500 hungry guests on average per year. The group is still just as active inside the halls of HSS as they are outside, organizing many popular yearly events, such as a Christmas Cereal Drive Homeroom Challenge, staff vs. student volleyball and baseball matches, and an annual alumni hockey game.
“Because we have been running so long, we have taken ownership over a number of school events that might be Student-Council-led in other schools,” said Reicheld-King.
The effort put in by members pays off every year, as graduating students earn bursaries and awards that are donated by Haldimand Norfolk Crime Stoppers and through community sponsors.
The Press spoke to some members of the current group to find out how they got started with the group and what they like best about student Crime Stoppers.
“I became interested in joining Crime Stoppers when I heard of all the good they do for the surrounding communities,” said Grade 11 student Aidan Greenwood.
“I first joined Crime Stoppers to get involved in the school and community,” added 10th grader Isla Nigh. “During my time with Crime Stoppers, I have learned the importance of collaborating with others.”
Grade 11 student Theresa Nwapa said she initially joined for the community service hours, but “the kindness and love of my team reeled me in. The different experiences of volunteering and sharing love wherever we went served as a superpower, which kept me motivated and happy.”
“I joined the group after hearing about the many different activities, from helping with some schoolwide events to volunteering helping spread awareness of being able to help law enforcement with active investigations anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers,” said Grade 10 student Isabella McKeen.
While McKeen noted that she doesn’t have a favourite group activity, her peers have a clear love for the holiday season and the joy they get from taking part in events.
The students shared some of the ways membership has positively impacted their lives.
“Being part of this group has helped me become more personable as all of our events require us to be concise and friendly in our communications,” said Greenwood.
Nwapa values the patience and compassion she has learned from the group: “These attributes will help me in my future career as I plan to work at the United Nations as a human rights lawyer helping others and restoring world peace one person at a time – and patience would be key in this.”
“Before I joined the group I had troubles with getting homework in on time and also had troubles with talking to other classmates,” added McKeen. “Now I get almost all of my assignments in on time and I can talk to more classmates with little to no anxiety. Allowing me to reach my full potential in school but also outside of school and in the future with any path I am on.”
Nigh recommends the group to anyone looking to “build new relationships and give back to our community.”
Greenwood added, “All you have to do is attend a Crime Stoppers meeting as we are always looking for new members.”
“The group has many to excellent opportunities for everyone and you will have many amazing memories from being a part of the group,” said McKeen.
“It will be the best decision you have ever made,” concluded Nwapa.
Reicheld-King couldn’t be prouder of the group’s impact, concluding, “It instills kindness and a sense of belonging in our members who work toward a common goal. I think this combination obviously makes us proud of all past, present, and future students who value this sense of community and make it a part of their lives.”
