In the green hedges lay plastic straw wrappers a paper airplane a pink foam castle cutout and Martin’s lunchbox. At John L. Webster Elementary School maneuvering a hand through the barbs to pick them up is the core of purpose service and leadership.
For the 21st annual Step Forward Day about 1400 students and alumni gathered for the tradition. Every year the story of students waking up at dawn putting on their brand new T-shirts freely giving four hours of time and freely receiving an In-N-Out burger takes the spotlight. But when all is said and done — when the shovels and rakes reappear in their tool sheds and the dust literally settles — it is the story of the recipient that can give new life to the tradition.
Nineteen years ago Webster Principal Phil Cott received his first correspondence from Pepperdine asking if he would appreciate the services of student volunteers who would come to the school and serve. “Yeah he said as if he had been asked if he would like a million-dollar check.
As he began his 20th Step Forward Day, Cott greeted the student group with a smile and began delegating tasks.
It’s one of the happiest days of my for me to see 100 or more people here ready to help out he said.
As students dispersed to the different corners of the school — a Hefty bag or gardening tool in tow — Cott roamed around to ensure every group had what it needed.
Those washing the walls and tables had water access so they could fill the buckets.
The girls cleaning the kindergarten and first grade garden area have the pruning tools to trim the rosemary.
Those uncovering the walkway overcome by dirt and greenery have shovels.
Cott makes sure no rock goes unturned, because having such a large group on the site is a luxury. During any other week, only one district gardener tends the school for two hours.
This is work we can’t get done any other way he said.
As students toiled away, the lack of glamour rarely slowed their stride, It’s like an adrenaline rush ” said junior Shanna Im.
“It’s really rewarding to serve; to see the faces of the people we’re serving helps keep it all in perspective added junior Bethanie Russell.
Some also saw their efforts as a contribution to something greater.
It gets me thinking about what I want to do [in the future] but also you forget that you can go to an elementary school and make a difference said junior Caitlin Schoensiegel.
Cott said the effects of Pepperdine service go beyond the tasks they complete one day each year.
On Feb. 11, the state of California awarded Webster Elementary School with the Service-Learning Leader Schools Award. Only 11 schools received the honor.
Standing among his students and their parents, whom he invited to join Pepperdine for Step Forward Day, Cott said it’s Pepperdine’s precedent that helped embed a sense of service in the school’s culture.
Pepperdine set an example for our students and parents and showed them what service really looks like he said.