Upper School students answer the call of giving back to their community in a bigger way, contributing more than 8,700 volunteer hours and counting this academic year.

Sehva Faulkner ’26 is celebrating a big recent award, the “18 Under 18” award given by the National Charity League, an organization she is a member of with her mother — who she credits for getting her involved in philanthropic work before she ever arrived at St. Stephen’s.  

Faulkner’s achievements over the years stood out among hundreds of submissions, and as the award says, “Demonstrate a strong passion and dedication to cultural leadership and philanthropic pursuits...and display a deep and personal commitment to improving their community or addressing specific issues affecting it.”

“I’m not boasting about it, but it’s cool. I’ve put a lot of work into this organization,” said Faulkner. “The whole family group chat is going crazy and writing paragraphs [about it].”

Faulkner began volunteering her time with various organizations in 7th grade and since arriving at St. Stephen’s in 9th grade, her efforts have been amplified and supported by the school’s commitment to service learning distinction.

Each school year, every student is called to serve the vulnerable and underserved in meaningful and concrete ways. This work embodies the school’s mission to develop a “spirit of service so that each of our students lives a life of meaning and enriches the world.”

Although Upper School students are required to achieve 10 hours of volunteer work for the 2024-25 academic year, Faulkner quickly achieved that and has completed 450+ hours of volunteer work over the last five years, which includes her involvement with Austin Sunshine Camps. The Austin-based nonprofit gives foster care children in foster care, and those struggling with food insecurity, the gift of experiencing an overnight summer camp without a cost barrier.

“It makes me feel really fulfilled,” said Faulkner. “I think it gives perspective of how other people live and what really matters.”

This year, on her own accord, Faulkner decided to take on what she calls her “passion project.” Using the gifts, skills and knowledge she’s gained as a theatre student at St. Stephen’s, she developed an entire theater curriculum for campers that she plans to implement this summer at Austin Sunshine Camp. It involves Faulkner leading and teaching children ages eight to 15 theater and improv skills to better foster confidence.

This is the type of commitment and drive that excites Service Learning Program Coordinator Jodi Blount. She says there are many other Spartans like Faulkner who have taken the ball and run with it. Ella Kim '25 spearheads a similar theatre program for St. Stephen's Breakthrough students.

“Students have more of a connection if it's something that they're passionate about. We all work harder if it's something we enjoy or learn,” said Blount.

Blount works tirelessly throughout the year to offer Upper School students as many volunteer opportunities as possible. St. Stephen’s partners with around 20 nonprofit organizations who offer a variety of ways for Spartans to pull up their sleeves and give back to the community — from feeding the homeless through Mobile Loaves and Fishes, to restocking the pantry at Central Texas Food Back, to helping build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Blount coordinates and plans service projects nearly every weekend during the school year, and teams up faculty and staff members with each group of students to help transport, guide and volunteer alongside them.

“I keep pushing and encouraging the kids to find something that makes them have to have a conversation, get out of their comfort box,” said Blount. “It’s something that makes us all uncomfortable — meeting another human where they are.”

Service Learning Distinction Designation

This year, Blount raised the bar for the Service Learning distinction program, an option for Upper School Spartans who want to do more than the yearly requirements. She increased the required number of direct volunteer hours from 23 to 30. The reason? A lot of students met the distinction requirements last year.

“While that super excites me, I still want them to go a little bit more above and beyond. Who can get those extra hours and serve their community more?” said Blount.

Her goal for students aiming for the bigger challenge is that they will stick with the same organization, like Faulkner, and over time build relationships with those they serve.

“I've gone [with Mobile Loaves and Fishes] four or five times this year, and I've already built a bit of a rapport with the same homeless people who come back,” said Blount. “And it's so nice when you walk up and they're like, wow, I live on the street, but someone knows my name.”

The distinction designation also includes a final project, where students can choose to create a video or an art project, or complete additional hours, to reflect on their service experiences. 

Summer Serve 2025, a new summer service program, was also just introduced, offering students opportunities to earn additional hours by volunteering with various organizations.

“I think it's really important for them to remember, no matter how successful they become, they're still connected to everyone and everything else,” said Blount.

Middle School students also participate in service learning through curricular projects that occur during the academic day.

Learn more about Service Learning at St. Stephen's.