Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

When is it beneficial to be part of a group? When does that group help others in the community?

 

At Memorial High School (MHS) in Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD), about 250 students participate in the Memorial Mustang Outreach Bunch (MMOB). As one of the largest organizations at MHS, MMOB's mission is to serve both the school and the broader Houston area.

Student volunteers earn service hours by participating in events such as working at the concessions stand during MHS volleyball matches, assisting with back-to-school orientations, and supporting employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities at a local restaurant called Belong Kitchen.

As the year progresses, members will have opportunities to volunteer at school carnivals, holiday festivals, marathons, sporting events, food drives, beach cleanups in Galveston, and more.

MMOB also provides leadership opportunities for members who want to take a more active role in organizing and facilitating service events.

Under the guidance of faculty sponsor Brian Reppart, MMOB's leadership structure includes tiers to ensure a variety of events for members to choose from. This year, senior Ben Haley serves as president, having started his involvement as a freshman. He was selected for the role by the outgoing executive board.

“I became president by being one of the most active members, logging hundreds of volunteer hours, introducing new events, and stepping up to lead whenever possible,” Haley said. 

Leadership Layers

Under Haley’s leadership, a team of vice presidents on the executive board organizes various club aspects, including the MMOB website, membership, publicity, and social media. Additionally, eight vice presidents are tasked with organizing service events.

“The collaboration between student volunteers and event organizers makes successful events possible. It’s exciting to see how much can be accomplished when everyone works together,” said Bella Blasi, vice president of publicity and a member of MMOB since her freshman year.

“As an underclassman, I admired the leadership team’s dedication to communication and organization. I hope to do the same for the underclassmen I serve today,” Blasi said. “I aim to motivate as many people as possible to join the club because there is power in numbers.”

Fulfillment and Purpose

“I became vice president of Fuente Food Pantry through dedication and a passion for serving the community,” said junior Kavi Thaker. “I started volunteering in 10th grade, consistently showing up and taking on more responsibilities. Over time, I demonstrated my commitment and organizational skills, which helped the interviewers recognize my capabilities. Serving as a leader means inspiring others to improve themselves and the community.”

Volunteers in this project help individuals and families facing food insecurity gain access to nutritious food and essential supplies. This mutually beneficial arrangement fosters a sense of fulfillment and purpose among the students while positively impacting the community.

A Rewarding View

Senior Jina Kwak serves as vice president of Cleanups this year after several years in MMOB. “Volunteering for the past four years has allowed me to build my leadership skills,” Kwak said. “I’ve discovered my strengths and weaknesses and learned how to tackle obstacles. My involvement has ignited my passion for serving the community and will prepare me for future roles.”

One of her favorite volunteer events was a beach cleanup in Galveston. Despite the early start, she enjoyed working alongside friends. Upon arrival, she was struck by the amount of trash on the beach.

“It hit me how harmful plastics and metals can damage the environment,” Kwak said. “With each piece of trash I picked up, I found myself enjoying it more. Even though it was hard work, I appreciated the view and the rewarding feeling of helping others.”

Memorable Experiences

Blasi recalls a standout event during her sophomore year at the Frostwood Elementary International Festival, where she volunteered at the Spain booth.

“After decorating and preparing food, a parent volunteer asked if I wanted to serve Serrano ham,” Blasi said. “The next thing I knew, I was slicing pieces for guests, and it was one of the craziest and coolest things I’ve done in MMOB.”

Core Charactersitics Through Service

Volunteering with MMOB instills several Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate in SBISD student volunteers.

“Volunteering helps students become more ethical and service-minded,” Haley said. “Working at the food bank or pantry opens one’s eyes to privilege and food insecurity in our city.” He noted that executive board members must communicate and collaborate effectively, ensuring that the needs of community organizations are met.

Blasi highlights examples of students becoming resourceful problem-solvers. Unexpected situations often arise during service events, and students learn to think on their feet. For instance, while volunteering at a Halloween festival, Blasi noticed kids rushing onto rides without their tickets being accounted for. She organized entrance to the ride by forming lines and collecting tickets in a nearby container.

Thaker emphasized the need for academic preparedness among MMOB members as they balance schoolwork, extracurriculars, sports, and home responsibilities. “This pushes us to be academically prepared so we can pursue our passions,” she said.

The MMOB Mentality

The teamwork, personal growth, and service-oriented mindset developed through MMOB will benefit students and their communities well into the future.

“My experiences in MMOB have taught me the importance of collaboration,” Blasi said. “Being receptive to others’ input is essential as I transition to college and the workforce, where there’s always something to learn from others.”

Sarah McCarthy serves as vice president of the Belong Kitchen project, where volunteers assist with cleaning and closing the restaurant.

“It teaches lifelong lessons in collaboration and provides valuable experience for future jobs,” McCarthy said. “Many service industry roles require cleaning and closing the establishment, so Belong equips them with those basic skills.”

McCarthy has also seen personal growth through her leadership role. “I’ve become much more responsible,” she said. “Being a leader has taught me to acknowledge my mistakes and guide the volunteers at Belong.”

We are #SBISDProud of this group of young volunteers whose leadership and service are making a meaningful difference in the world, both near and far.