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Severn Middle School Students Make a Difference on Annual Service Day
Earlier this month, Severn Middle School students put their values into action during the annual Service Day, a day dedicated to hands-on community engagement.
This event gives students a chance to step outside the classroom and give back to the world around them.
"Service Day is all about gratitude, responsibility, and empathy," says Leigh Ann Orsen, sixth-grade dean and middle school English teacher.
Sixth Graders Support the Bay and Community
The sixth-grade class kicked off the day on the Alumni House lawn, where they partnered with the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland to build oyster reef balls. Armed with hammers and gloves, the students constructed 18 concrete structures designed to promote oyster growth, improve water filtration, create habitats for fish, and stabilize shorelines. This collective effort by the Class of 2032 will directly impact the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay.
Other sixth-grade activities included making cozy blankets for Sarah’s House, which serves people experiencing homelessness, and conducting environmental cleanups in the local area. “We are teaching students about being responsible for the environment around them and to exercise their empathetic side by considering how people feel and what they need to thrive,” Orsen adds.
Seventh Graders Lend a Helping Hand
The seventh-grade class spread out across the community to support several community organizations. They sorted gently used sports and playground equipment for Leveling the Playing Field, an organization that provides affordable gear to under-resourced youth groups. Students also assisted at Lighthouse, a homeless prevention support center, and gathered donations for the Orphan Grain Train, Salvation Army, and SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods) to aid people in need both locally and globally.
“By participating in these hands-on activities, we hope students see the value and continue to do this work outside of school,” says Orsen.
Eighth Graders Focus on People and Places
Eighth-grade students dedicated their time to a variety of causes, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity, Paskell Senior Activity Center, Ronald McDonald House, Second Chance, and the Maryland Zoo.
At Second Chance, three advisory groups helped clean and shelve books and sorted donated items. The organization provides employment to individuals who have been previously incarcerated and are working to change their lives. "Students were able to see the importance of treating others for who they are and not what they have done in their past,” says Lauren Paul, Eighth Grade Dean and English Department Chair.
At Second Chance, three advisory groups helped clean and shelve books and sorted donated items. The organization provides employment to individuals who have been previously incarcerated and are working to change their lives. "Students were able to see the importance of treating others for who they are and not what they have done in their past,” says Lauren Paul, Eighth Grade Dean and English Department Chair.
With Service Day 2025 wrapped up, the Severn community is proud of its middle school students, who generously volunteered their time and energy to better the community we all share.
