collettegillaspie
Junior Sarah Villarreal is an all-star. Just reading a list of her extracurriculars is enough to make most people exhausted.
Between frequent violin rehearsals, numerous mock trial dinners, intense robotics competitions, innovative SAME (Society of American Military Engineers) meetings, and disciplined trap shooting practices, Villarreal volunteers for two to three hours every month. Villarreal has been visiting the House of Hope for Alzheimer’s patients ever since a family friend was diagnosed around two years ago.
“I figured if I was going to volunteer somewhere, it would be some place that meant something to me Villarreal said. Typically, she visits with sophomore Ellie Messerschmidt, a fellow strings classmate. The pair regularly performs music ensembles for the residents and plays games with them.
“It was really life-changing to see a room full of women and men, who sadly remember nearly nothing, come to life and dance and sing. Really awesome!” Villarreal said.
She plans to visit around Christmas time with Messerschmidt and junior Natalie Sterba. Their agenda will most likely include baking cookies with the residents and playing christmas music with them.
Villarreal spoke passionately about her volunteer work. “I know that they [the employees at the House of Hope] are always looking for people to come and volunteer. The people living there are sadly often forgotten by their family and really enjoy any kind of company,” Villarreal said.
Contact Sarah Villarreal in Homeroom 320 for more information about volunteering at the House of Hope (4801 North 52nd Street), or visit the House of Hope website at http://alzheimers.omahaseniorcare.org.
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