NEW DIANA, Texas (KLTV) – New Diana middle schoolers are helping solve real-world issues early through a rare grant obtained by their National Junior Honor Society Chapter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is going to help a lot of people with the overpopulated pet problem we\u2019ve been having,\u201d NJHS Treasurer Macus Blonde said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s funny how many students aren\u2019t aware of the problems and challenges that face small towns like ours,\u201d Jackie France, NJHS Advisor said.<\/p>\n
With what they\u2019ve learned through community service, New Diana\u2019s National Junior Honor Society is creating change.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve volunteered before at the Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center,\u201d Blonde said. \u201cThey have this demonstration that shows if one dog goes un-spayed or unneutered, it can end up reproducing over and over again. Stray dogs are a big problem in Diana.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through a student-led grant application, they secured $1,000 to go towards service in their area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were looking through what we really needed as a community and what would help us,\u201d NJHS President Reid Verzosa said. \u201cWhen we got the grant, we realized Diana really didn\u2019t have an opportunity to help animals. Stray dogs, Stray cats.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe preach to these kids, we really strive to educate the public and especially this younger generation,\u201d Brittany Mills, Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center Outreach Coordinator said. \u201cTo see these kids become this active, this young…they wanted to be part of the positive, part of the change.\u201d<\/p>\n
They decided to fund spay and neuter procedures for pets owned by New Diana residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the service to the community is important because it\u2019s what gets everything going,\u201d NJHS Vice President Eli Akin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo watch them come up with an idea that is going to impact people right here where we live, it just made me well up with pride. I\u2019m just very proud of them,\u201d France said.<\/p>\n
With the money, they\u2019ll be able to cover nine pet surgeries.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just rewarding,\u201d NJHS member Sean Rice said. \u201cJust to see the change that is made throughout and how this affects people\u2019s lives. Because it really does.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a member of NJHS, serving is a very joyful part to me,\u201d Blonde said, \u201cbecause when Jesus came to the Earth, he came not to be served but to serve. So, I think that is a mission that we can make a big impact in as a member of NJHS.\u201d<\/p>\n
And their action doesn\u2019t end there.<\/p>\n
With the remaining grant funds, the students will educate other New Diana campuses on proper animal care and Texas pet laws.<\/p>\n
In addition, this Thursday from 4:30 – 6:30pm, the NJHS students will partner with the FFA to host a free dog wash and $10 rabies vaccine clinic.<\/p>\n
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