Students Embrace Community Service

When Kennedy High School in Granada Hills introduced its University Prep Academy a year ago, community service hours were just one component of a program designed to enhance the chances for Kennedy students to get into top universities.

A community service requirement of 10 hours a year turned out to be just a warmup for some. Several of the academy’s 208 students have performed more than 100 service hours this academic year.

Topping the list is ninth-grader Alma Garcia of Sylmar, with 136 hours volunteered at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, mostly at the hospital’s information desk.