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Xavier Schecter (left) and Jakin Lefto separate branches at a home on Fourth Street in Valley Center June 17.


Students give back to community through service
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: June 25, 2015

Dozens of Valley Center High School student-athletes converged on a Valley Center neighborhood June 17, trimming trees, clearing junk and helping homeowners with summer cleanup projects.

"They just want to give back to the community," said football coach Caleb Smith. "The community does a lot for them — they buy their fundraisers, come to their games, those kinds of things — so it's just a chance for us to give back."

The community service event was organized by Smith and new basketball coach Ty Unrau.

"We talk a lot about being a family. Well, this is what being a family is about," Unrau said. "It's not necessarily doing stuff for you, it's doing stuff for others. I want our guys to leave our program with skills to impact people in a positive way. Doing little things like this, it's character-building."

The work focused on about six houses near Fourth and Meeds Drive. At one of the homes, overgrown brush had blocked nearly the entire front of the residence. The students cut the brush away.

Smith said friend and city council member Ben Anderson contacted the city's compliance department to identify homes that could use the assistance.

"I'm just happy that they're out here doing this," Smith said. "There are a lot of guys that found excuses not to be here, so the ones who did come out and help, it really says something about their character. I know the community appreciates it."

Unrau said working together outside of the gym or football field builds camaraderie.

"If we want the community to show up to our games, then we need to be out here and be visible, be helping others," Unrau said. "If you want to be first, you've got to serve others first. These qualities of character, discipline and toughness are built working out in the community."





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