Hayley Millsaps started doing community service when she was very young. Her K-8 school offered many community service opportunities, as did the organizations she joined in high school. So she was happy to find even more opportunities to give back to the community when she came to SPC to work on a bachelor’s degree in business after high school.

Millsaps said SPC’s Golden Key Honor Society gave her many chances to help the community, in ways she didn’t even know were possible. As she moved into the role of president of the organization, she found herself not only doing service herself but also organizing service projects for student groups. The one closest to her heart is the Adopt-A-School initiative, where Honor Society members fill student backpacks with supplies to give to students at an elementary school in an economically depressed area.

“I’ve always known that I am incredibly fortunate,” Millsaps said. “There is something to be gained from the experience of going out into the community and helping fill a need, and not only does SPC do that, but there are also resources on campus for students, which is truly incredible.”

This initiative not only helps the community at large but follows SPC’s mission of creating a better future. Youth who have a meaningful mentor relationship are:

• 52% less likely to skip school
• Five times more likely to graduate from high school
• 46% less likely to start using drugs
• 27% less likely to start drinking

The initiative Millsaps created helps feed students every weekend. The program fills each backpack with food that the student isn’t given over the weekend. It also lets students know that there is someone in their corner.