Comstock Park — Junior Brielle Gates stood next to an arch of green, silver, white and polka-dotted balloons that filled the small room where she and classmate Addie Kelly had been working.
“It was a lot of work,” Brielle said. “First you have to blow up the balloons, then you have to tie them, and then tie them together and secure them to the string.”
But when the students and the Houseman family — this year’s Cancer Classic recipients — walk under the arch, the work will have been worth it, she admitted.
Brielle is one of 36 students who currently are part of the high school’s Student Volunteers, a student-led organization that connects students with community service opportunities to support local needs.
“Being a part of everything and seeing how that impacts the community is the reason why I decided to join,” she said. “Everyone in the group wants to see change, they want to see positive things happen.”
The group is open to any student interested in making an impact in the school and community, said social studies teacher Brooke Veneman, who serves as co-adviser with special-education teacher Marie Kluisza.
Former teacher and counselor Gary Holland, who is also a Comstock Park alum, started the program.
“I loved the idea of teenagers having the experience of helping others,” Holland said. “Besides the obvious benefit for the people being helped, the volunteers experienced — for many the first time — the satisfaction of helping others.”
As counselor, Holland said he saw the value of students committing to volunteer work, which is similar to having a job. The students have to be responsible to show up, be on time and complete the work, he said.
From Ideas to Action
When Veneman joined Kluisza as an adviser to the group a couple of years ago, membership had declined, so she began encouraging students to join.
That’s how Brielle and Addie got involved.
“I feel more connected to the community,” Addie said. “I personally feel better and more fulfilled because we are helping people.”
‘Everyone in the group wants to see change, they want to see positive things happen.’
— junior Brielle Gates
Senior Lilly Czypera joined because her friend senior Becky Cordero-Hernandez did. Now the two serve as president and vice-president, respectively.
Lilly said she enjoys seeing students make friends and take advantage of leadership opportunities.
“The nice thing about Student Volunteers is anyone can join,” Becky said. “With other student organizations, there are prerequisites and requirements, but with this group a student only needs to fill out an application to join.”
The group meets weekly during the school’s flex time to discuss ideas and plan its community service projects such as the new student luncheon, a fall Trunk-n-Treat, the winter Cancer Classic and a spring carnival.
Students have the opportunity to propose ideas. Addie recently suggested creating a prom dress closet because “the dresses are so expensive,” she said.
“There are students who don’t go because they can’t afford everything to attend a prom,” Addie said. “If we can help with one element, such as a dress, then it would make it more affordable.”
Students Give, Grow & Inspire
Kluisza said the ideas and dedication of the students has made it a joy to work with them, and that it’s been rewarding to witness the personal growth and positive changes with students.
“I have had the profound privilege of witnessing young leaders mature while actively contributing to their local community,” she said. “A highlight of Student Volunteers was volunteering at our Unified basketball tournament in which we helped in the concession stand, but also had the opportunity to root on our own CP Unified Team. Through such initiatives, the group successfully combines charitable fundraising with energetic school spirit.”
While doing volunteer work might look good on a college or work application, Becky said for many of the students it’s about “everybody helping everybody.”
For many of the students, that spirit shows up most clearly at the events.
“For me it’s the spring carnival, because you are outside and it’s an opportunity to bring the community together,” Becky said. “I also like the student lunch because it’s nice to feel welcomed at a new place, and sometimes it is so hard to get to know people and find information on things.”
Lilly and Addie echoed the same events as Becky, and added the food and hygiene drive for Comstock Park’s Giving Closet as one of their favorite activities to benefit the community.
For Brielle, the Cancer Classic holds a special place as her brother, Preston Gates, was the honoree in 2018 and 2024. Preston, who is a 2024 Comstock Park graduate, had leukemia.
The event not only celebrated the community and support system Preston had, it also demonstrated how so many people can make a difference, Brielle said.
“(The action) might be something small, but it could be very meaningful and inspire others to do more,” she said.
Read more from Comstock Park:
• Earning, learning, & giving: Inside Mill Creek Middle’s new school store
• Bus tracking app keeps families in the loop
