Students in Research, Genre and Context (ENC2135) combined community service and the power of the written word to give back this fall.

The 11 students and English instructor Milinda Stephenson, Ph.D., used outreach experiences to enhance their writing and promote area service organizations. ENC2135 is the second of two required composition courses at Florida State University. The course focuses on incorporating outside sources in writing through drafting, collaboration and revision to compose in a variety of genres for specific contexts.

“When students believe that what they are writing matters, they write better,” Stephenson said. “Working on modes as diverse as print newsletters and YouTube video ads, students learned that words matter. Effective communication can literally change lives.”

The class of student ambassadors volunteered a total of 236 hours to community projects, such as caring for shelter animals, spending time with nursing home residents and marketing for the Avicenna Free Health Clinic.

With each hour volunteered, students had a stronger sense of well-being and purpose to add to their projects, Stephenson said.

“When the students began this volunteering journey, we were just casting votes on where to give back and when. It never occurred to us that volunteering could influence us and others so much,” student Guy Korvig said. “When we all volunteered each had a sense of happiness, felt complete and pride that we completed and gave back to the community.”

The reward of serving is enough to keep volunteering, said student Matthew Spradley, who distributed food to more than 100 families in need.

“Each and every family that I have helped has had an abundance of joy and gratitude when we give them the food items,” he said of his experiences at the Living Word Church food pantry. “In volunteering and seeing the reactions of these families, it really humbles my thoughts.”

Kyle Jackey said his service with Veterans of America, a student organization at FSU Panama City, has brought him pride. Club members have spent time with residents at Sims Nursing Home for Veterans and marched in Panama City’s Veterans Day Parade.

“I got to see first-hand just how much these kind of things mean to people,” he said. “I saw for myself the appreciation the community had for our veterans, but even more so, I got to see how much it meant to the veterans.”

Other students gave back to the next generation, mentoring students at Jinks Middle School.

Keaton Dinan used his technology skills to help a class overwhelmed with questions, allowing the teacher more time to focus on the project during the short class period.

“I felt empowered; I felt like I helped someone,” Dinan said. “I felt like someone’s life is better because of my volunteering.”

Rebekah Noser agreed.

“There is no greater reward than knowing you are helping someone,” she said.

Other members of the class were Betul Adalier, Stephanie Decker, Matthew Dinan, Kelsey Hennessey, Wiatt Lewis and Brandon Sparks.

For more information on FSU Panama City service projects, contact Special Events Coordinator Casey Lathem at (850) 770-2168.