The spirit of giving back runs deep at Lake Oconee Academy. Thanks to a schoolwide emphasis on community service, LOA students and families are encouraged to lend a helpful hand through meaningful learning experiences, outreach opportunities and campus events. No matter the action or purpose, the LOA community consistently steps up to make a difference, demonstrating the heart behind Titan pride.
This school year, students are already rising to the call of service. Both the LOA Beta Club and Jr. Beta Club have kicked off one of their hallmark initiatives, the annual food drive, which typically collects around 2,000 pounds of food items to support families in our local community. This project not only meets tangible needs, but also teaches students about empathy, generosity and civic responsibility.
In addition, Beta students also visit local nursing homes and assisted living centers throughout the year, offering companionship, conversation and even handmade nonslip socks for residents. These impactful visits reflect the heart of LOA’s service mindset: building relationships and showing kindness beyond the classroom walls.
Continuing its annual partnership, LOA proudly supports the annual Greene County Christmas Stocking Fund by collecting toys and coats to help spread warmth and joy to those local families in need during the holiday season. Collection boxes are placed throughout campus for students, staff and families to drop their donations before local-area distribution.
In addition to seasonal efforts, LOA high schoolers help organize and support blood drives in partnership with the American Red Cross. These events are an important way for our older students to contribute to life-saving causes while learning the value of civic responsibility and public health.
“Students are learning that leadership and service go hand-in-hand,” says Jerante Smith, Upper School Principal at Lake Oconee Academy. “Here at LOA, we require high school students to complete 70 community service hours in order to graduate. It’s our goal to help them understand that making a difference is important and simply the right thing to do. By offering a variety of schoolwide service opportunities, students are exposed to what giving back looks like and realize, from a youth age, that doing good doesn’t have to be complicated. A single act of kindness can be life-changing for so many!”
The desire to give back doesn’t just fall on students. LOA’s Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) has contributed an estimated 300 hours of volunteer service hours just since August. From distributing supply kits for the first day of school to hosting special events like Grandparents Day, Titan Tailgate and October’s beloved Character Costume Parade (including a fun-filled Teacher Costume Race they sponsored!), the PTC is always on the move. These parents also run a monthly “Stock the Breakroom” initiative to keep teachers stay fueled with healthy snacks and of course, caffeine. Throughout the year, they support countless other efforts like the Book Fair, holiday events and family engagement programs, elevating the everyday experience at LOA for students and staff alike.
"Volunteering through the PTC lets me stay connected, give back to the school I love and show my kids what it looks like to serve joyfully," says Andrea McGuire, PTC member and proud Titan parent of an 8 th grade daughter and 5 th grade son. “I’m excited to have over 50 parent volunteers in the PTC this year. The continued growth highlights parents’ desire to be involved in our special school and allows us to offer more beneficial opportunities for students and teachers throughout the year.”
As we head into the season of thankfulness, these schoolwide acts of service—large and small—shine a light on Lake Oconee Academy and what it means to be “One Titan.” Whether a student-led initiative or parent-driven cause, the LOA community celebrates service and spirit, truly impacting others and making a difference both on and off campus.