LIGONIER, PA — From decorating the Diamond for the holidays to the annual Day of Caring, local fifth through eighth graders who attend Valley School of Ligonier put their commitment to community into action. Last Friday, November 6, the school’s eighth-grade students brought the real meaning for the season to the heart of the Ligonier community alongside Ligonier Borough employees and many volunteers to decorate the Diamond. Working in small groups, they adorned festive bulbs on the holiday tree on the bandstand and untangled and installed endless strands of lights on bushes and trees. Along with their eighth-grader advisors, Mr. Mark McNeil and Mrs. Cassie Nolfi, along with the numerous community members, the children and teachers pitched in to spread plenty of holiday cheer and happiness with the community.

Ron Ross, Street Supervisor of the Ligonier Borough Public Works Department, praised the students’ contributions to the community, “The group was such a tremendous help with our fall clean-up at St. Clair Grove during their Day of Caring. Their willingness to work alongside our team made a real difference,” Ross said. “We were happy to invite them back to help our team prepare for Fort Ligonier Days.” Several days before Fort Ligonier Days, eighth graders visited the Ligonier Borough’s maintenance facility on Bunger Street to complete various tasks to help municipal staff prepare for the upcoming festival.

Ross continued, “We invited the students back to continue the tradition of working alongside community members to decorate the Ligonier Diamond each November. Their enthusiasm to lend a hand while having a hard work ethic to complete the projects are greatly appreciated.”

The students also supported the Ligonier Valley YMCA's annual 24-Hour Race to No Place stationary bike competition in September, helping provide snacks and water to participants throughout the event.

On Friday, September 18, students in grades 5–8 participated in the school's annual Day of Caring. The young citizens worked alongside local organizations at six locations throughout the region, taking part in hands-on service learning projects.

At the Loyalhanna Watershed Association property, students assisted Penn State Master Gardeners with weeding, moving stones, and transplanting plants. At both St. Clair Grove and the Ligonier Valley YMCA, students spread mulch, completed general landscaping maintenance, and removed debris from recent storms, sprucing up these shared community spaces for all neighbors and visitors to enjoy.

At the Lincoln Highway Experience in Latrobe, Valley School's newest Day of Caring community partner, students painted posts, spread mulch, and assisted with general property maintenance. Spencer Simpson, Manager of Visitor Services at the museum, said the students' efforts helped complete outdoor projects that had been waiting for attention for several years. “Having so many hands that are eager to help us out has saved us a tremendous amount of time and has increased the beauty of the building and the grounds here,” Simpson said.

Simpson also shared a memorable moment from the day. While students were painting a fence, he stepped away briefly and returned to discover that a few students had painted a smiley face and the word “love” on a section of the fence. He photographed the spontaneous creation, which he felt captured the spirit of community service. “It gets at the heart of what community service is about, I think,” Simpson said. 

Meanwhile, at the Waterford Volunteer Fire Department, students helped prepare for an upcoming fundraiser by cleaning the truck room, washing fire trucks, setting up tables, and organizing the social hall.

Paul Trimeloni, a department member and current Valley School grandparent, described the students' contributions as a tremendous help to the volunteer organization. “This group of hard-working students completed work throughout a morning in the time it would take our members to accomplish in a month, since many of our members work full-time jobs while still fighting fires, and serving the community as first responders,” Trimeloni said. “The students are so willing and capable to give their time back to our community.”

Seventh- and eighth-grade students also visited the Westmoreland Food Bank in Delmont, where they sorted donated food and packed dry and canned goods into boxes for distribution to neighbors throughout Westmoreland County. Through this work, students played a part in helping provide essential food resources to individuals and families across the region.

“We believe it is important for our students to understand that being part of a community means contributing to it. Valley School’s annual Day of Caring and ongoing service opportunities give students the chance to look beyond themselves, recognize where help is needed, and put their time and talents to doing good works for others. We hope these experiences instill a lifelong commitment to serving others and show students that even small acts of kindness and hard work can make a lasting difference.”

These service learning projects reflect the school’s commitment to developing thoughtful, engaged young people who recognize their ability to make a positive difference. By working alongside local organizations, students gain an appreciation for the contributions of others while discovering that even practical, hands-on efforts can have a meaningful impact.

Through its ongoing community partnerships and service opportunities, Valley School strives to instill in students a lifelong understanding that being part of a community means finding ways to contribute, lend a hand, and make a difference.