The Ansonia Nature and Recreation Center is not typically a busy place during winter, but Jacqueline Rzasa and her classmates are there, moving mulch and restoring the orange trail that Jaqueline's hiked nearly all her life.
The senior at Notre Dame high school in Fairfield and her friends and classmates have been at the center for the school's service learning program.
"It was probably one of the best things in my life to come here," the Ansonia teen said. "I've been coming here since I was like 3. I've done every single program."
Every Notre Dame student must complete 15 hours of community service, but many do much more than that, campus minister Joshua St. Onge said.
"I like to think of doing service as an education in love. There are so many messages today telling the kids it's all about what feels good, but love is all about what's doing good," St. Onge said. "Bit by bit, hopefully we'll make a better community, make a better nation, a better world -- one heart at a time."
Notre Dame's community service curriculum culminates about four months from now when a group of students travel to Appalachia to help an entire community in West Virginia.
Mike Martinski, a senior from Stratford, is looking forward to taking the trip after he graduates.
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"It's gonna be a little bit of hard work, but also satisfying and fun," Martinski said.
