From USD 428
Wednesday marked a historic return to tradition as 900 Great Bend High School (GBHS) students and staff members spent their school day fanning out across the city to complete 36 community service projects. The initiative, which had been on hiatus since 2019, culminated Wednesday afternoon in a visible transformation of local parks, non-profits, and community spaces.
The day kicked off with an early morning assembly in the GBHS gymnasium, where the National Honor Society (NHS) energized the student body before they deployed to job sites ranging from 17th Street to the outskirts of town on Highway 281.
"This is about more than just manual labor; it’s about a culture of gratitude," said Luke Maneth, NHS Sponsor. "Our community supports our kids through scholarships, school activities, and mentorships every single day. Today was our chance to say ‘thank you’ in a tangible way. To see 900 students motivated and working together to improve Great Bend is truly inspiring."
Making a Tangible Impact
The 36 projects selected for this year’s event covered a diverse range of skilled and general labor, including painting, landscaping, pouring concrete, and organizational support. Key project sites included:
· Public Safety Support: Over 50 students partnered with the Great Bend Police Department, focusing on trash removal and beautification at three separate locations across the city.
· Historical Preservation: At the Barton County Historical Society, refreshing the grounds and organizing storage sheds to help preserve local history.
· Skilled Labor: Groups at Faith Community Church assisted in pouring concrete pads, while teams at Smith Supply LLC spent the majority of the day painting a large pipe fence.
· Environmental & Garden Care: Students worked at the Sunshine Community Garden to remove large debris and add new plants, while others assisted the Dominican Sisters of Peace and the First Church of the Nazarene with extensive landscaping and fence staining.
A Renewed Commitment
The success of Wednesday's event follows months of planning led by NHS students. After finalizing the project list in early April, the NHS Leadership Team matched student groups with projects that addressed genuine community needs, providing students with real-world experience and a sense of civic pride.
"The energy in the gym this morning was something special, and seeing that energy translate into hard work at project sites across Great Bend is exactly why we brought this program back," added Maneth. "We are incredibly proud of our students for their hard work and thankful to the local businesses and organizations that both sponsored the day and hosted student groups."
About Great Bend High School Community Service Day
Community Service Day is a student-led initiative organized by the National Honor Society. Its mission is to foster a spirit of service and leadership among students while providing valuable labor to the organizations and individuals who support Great Bend High School. For more information, please contact Luke Maneth at GBHS, 620-793-1521.