Allen Goldwin, a resident at Imperial Oasis retirement home in Brawley, talks with a friend while Ricardo Mascareno, 17, a Desert Valley High School junior, pushes Goldwin's wheelchair after washing it Monday. CUAUHTEMOC BELTRAN PHOTO

By HEATHER BREMNER, Staff Writer, Imperial Valley Press
Tuesday, April 6, 2004 3:24 PM PDT

BRAWLEY — Some students harbor nonchalant attitudes about the community service hours they're required to complete to return to Brawley Union High School.

Abraham Gonzales is one of those students. The 16-year-old doesn't think dedicating 30 volunteer hours to an activity will motivate him to work harder when (and if) he transfers from Desert Valley High School, Brawley's alternative school, back to Brawley High.

The high school wrestler — who already completed his 30 hours of community service duties — said he enjoyed the time he spent teaching the Brawley Gladiators junior wrestling club some skills but doubts the experience will revitalize his dedication to school.

So if the high school junior already finished his community service duties, why did he join his fellow Desert Valley students Monday afternoon to wash and decorate wheelchairs at the Imperial Oasis retirement home?

Abraham's answer: he was there to help the senior citizens and because it was fun.

So maybe the message LaVerne Menvielle tries to pour into students' brains is seeping through and they just don't realize it yet.

"Some of them do it because they have to and some because they want to," said the Imperial County Office of Education Student Well-Being and Family Resources prevention specialist.

When Menvielle informs students about community service options, she lets them know that the hours they commit to the activity will not only help the community.

"It's also getting them out and involved and hopefully empowering them with the message that they can make a difference," she said.

Unlike Abraham, Laura Loya's first trip to the retirement home had a direct impact on her psyche. The 16-year-old junior, whose Monday visit to the retirement home was her first, said she saw her own grandmother in the other elders sitting in the home.

" ... 'cause I have a grandma and I hardly ever visit her and when I do it's sad," she said.

Laura said she seldom has visited her grandmother because the home, the people and the aides were depressing. Seeing those senior citizens, sitting alone, made her realize she's neglected her own family member.

"You learn from them and they learn from you," she said. "That's how I see it."

Laura said she plans to spend all her volunteer service hours at a retirement or convalescent home but she may commit her time to the home where her grandmother lives, which she said needs a lot of work.

Other students have visited Imperial Oasis to play bingo with the occupants.

Andy Burnett, a Desert Valley teacher, said the students immediately felt comfortable playing games with their elders.

"I think it's been tougher for the senior citizens to get used to them than the other way around," he said.

Students in the alternative education programs have participated in a variety of community service projects that Menvielle runs locally, including painting over graffiti on alley garbage bins. Desert Valley students also are working on beautifying their own campus by planting a garden and are planning to paint a mural at the school.

The program is funded through a California Department of Education community service grant. Alternative high schools in Calexico, El Centro and Winterhaven are participants.

Menvielle said the community service projects instill a sense of worthiness into a group of students who often think the community views them as rejects.

Students who attend alternative high schools have been expelled from school for excessive tardiness or absences, disciplinary reasons or are transferred because they have fallen greatly behind in their schoolwork or because they broke the law.

High-schoolers on probation may have to complete court-ordered community service in addition to the 30 hours required by Desert Valley.

>> Staff Writer Heather Bremner can be reached at 337-3445 or hbremner@ivpressonline.com