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PALS Portray True Meaning of Community Service
The PALS (Peer Assistance & Leadership) of Bastrop High School are a well-oiled machine of about 100 young adult volunteers. PALS Sponsor, Ian Jaschek has worked with the club for over 10 years and each year has seen the group of juniors and seniors explore more and more volunteer opportunities.
PALS is a student-led organization dedicated to community service, volunteerism, and leadership development. The group organizes various initiatives throughout the year, providing students with opportunities to give back to the community while building lasting connections and fostering a sense of responsibility.
“I try to give the students every opportunity to lead, to make the decisions, and shape the program,” said Jaschek.
The school year begins with the group of students being broken into 12-14 groups. These groups are in charge of planning and implementing their community service projects. The projects the PALS do change from year to year, but there are some that they do every year. Students are also required to do 5 hours of community service per month.
The PALS have been busy, completing multiple projects last semester that have had a significant impact on local residents and organizations. From environmental cleanups to supporting local families in need, PALS has exemplified the spirit of service with each project.
“I think the main reason that PALS is such a successful organization is because the students believe in the mission. We have compassionate students who truly want to give back to their community. They want to make a difference in the life of someone else. Their hearts are in it and It never ceases to amaze me how big their hearts are,” said Jaschek.
One of the most notable events last semester was the annual Trash Bash, where PALS members competed to collect the most trash across the community. This year, participants removed an impressive 380 cubic feet of trash, making the event one of the largest cleanups ever done by the group. Additionally, PALS hosted a highly successful canned food drive, providing 260 Thanksgiving meals—enough to feed 6-8 people per family—to those in need. The meals were distributed to local campuses, the Child Advocacy Center, and the Food Pantry. In addition, PALS donated over 3,000 pounds of non-perishable food, making them the largest single food donor to the county’s food pantry.
PALS has also been committed to improving the environment and supporting local organizations. The group carried out park cleanups, including painting fences at Bob Bryant Park and tidying up Main Street and Fisherman's Park after the local parade. PALS also dedicated time to maintaining trails at the Colorado River Refuge, helping to ensure they remain safe and beautiful for the community. In a continued effort to support local youth, PALS has started work on a nature-themed playscape at the Colorado River Refuge, which is being designed and built by students using natural materials found on-site.
In addition to these projects, PALS volunteers have been actively involved in a variety of other community events. They have taught technology classes to seniors, supported Relay for Life, and served as the primary volunteer force at this year's Winter Blast, where they distributed coats, toys, food, and books to over 1,000 families in need. They also mentor students at the elementary school twice a week.
Looking ahead, PALS is gearing up for an exciting and impactful semester. Plans include the adoption of Highway 304 for quarterly cleanups, the launch of an anti-vape education campaign for local elementary schools, and a series of community events like reading days at public libraries and a Winter Wonderland Bash for the residents of Down Home Ranch. They will also host a Car Wash and Sand Volleyball Tournament to benefit the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry, as well as a Field Day for Life Skills students across the district.
PALS continues to be a driving force for positive change in the community, providing invaluable support to local organizations while offering students the opportunity to develop leadership skills and make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
“Ultimately, I think high school students want three things. They want purpose, something that makes them feel like they matter and make a difference. They want community, the feeling that they belong in something bigger than themselves. They want the opportunity to accomplish something worthwhile; an opportunity to prove they are hardworking and capable people ready for adulthood. PALS gives them all three. That makes them want to be a part of the organization and invest their efforts. The organization is successful because the students want it to be successful,” added Jaschek.
Interested in being apart of the PALS program? Recruiting season is taking place now for next school year. To be a part of the PALS program, students must be a junior or senior and go through a rigorous application process. The process includes completing an application, getting three teacher references, and completing an interview that is conducted by current students and the sponsor. After that, their application goes through a peer review process. For more information, see PALS Sponsor Ian Jaschek at Bastrop High School.