Volunteering teaches students life-changing lessons aligned with St. Stephen’s core values and mission.

“The service [project] made me realize that other people have really difficult lives, which gives me a lot of perspective on my own life,” said James Driscoll ’30. “Whenever I am frustrated or hungry, I have a home to go back to and a fridge to get food from.”

That sentiment of service is the theme carried through this year’s D-Term service projects. Each year, St. Stephen’s middle schoolers participate in D-Term, an 8th grade experiential and interdisciplinary service learning project. Named in honor of the former Head of Middle School Linda Douglass, the project teaches students the importance of serving others throughout the Central Texas community.

“The most rewarding part of the service learning experience for students and adults is the chance that they have to serve our Austin area community together, working collaboratively in a different setting, specifically spaces outside of the classroom,” said Chioma Mba, Ph.D., Middle School math instructor. “This allows the students to see their teachers and faculty through a different lens and vice versa while doing good for the greater community.”

Introduced to St. Stephen’s by former Middle School Dean Brooke Laws, D-Term is initiated by faculty and staff during both the fall and winter terms. Middle School Chaplain Rev. Ed Thompson invites representatives from a variety of local nonprofits to campus. Those representatives speak to students during Chapel, educating the audience about the organization’s mission and their local impact. Following those chapel presentations, students take time to research a topic and an organization of interest and that information informs their three days of volunteering.

Clara Clough ’30, who was assigned to work with the unhoused, said, “I am passionate about this because they may be struggling with the same thing as others who started at an advantage.”

Aleta Kavcic ’30 volunteered with Austin Farm Sanctuary.

"Animals should not just be products we see when we go to the supermarket. They are just like us. They have a soul, a mind and a body with rights.”

This year, students partnered and completed volunteer hours with several Austin nonprofit organizations including Austin Farm Sanctuary, Community First Village, Partnerships for Children, AGE of Central Texas, Child Inc. St. James, Lyons Gardens, Balcones Land Preserve, Trinity Center, Casa Marianella and iACT.

“[D-Term] helped me know more about the details of the elderly’s homes. Especially for people who were alone and dealing with grief — the service gave them a community,” said Sophie Lee ’30.

"The service work really inspired me to treat all animals I encounter with not only compassion and warmth but also dignity," said Elizabeth McDaniel-Chang ’30.

"Hearing some of the refugees talk about how they risked their lives to be here just to realize they still feel unsafe and scared made me realize that it truly is time for change in our society,” said Alice Downing ’30.

After completing their volunteer hours, students are assigned to deliver a presentation and slide show about their experience to their peers in chapel. 

In Father Thompson’s post-project note to parents he remarked, “I am happy to report that your children once again did not fail to surprise us. We always go into these visits and presentations with cautious optimism, not exactly knowing how it'll turn out, but your wonderful children and our amazing students always manage to come out with flying colors. This year was no different. From the research to the site visits to their interactions with the residents (animals, environment and humans), they demonstrated curiosity worthy of the Spartans that they are, compassion and respect for becoming the School founded by Bishop Hines, and intellect inspired by a St. Stephen's education. We are proud of them as we know you are too.”

Learn more about Service Learning at St. Stephen's