Class of 2009 graduate Claude Lee is finishing up his year of service in the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a service organization under the umbrella of Americorps. Lee will graduate tomorrow.
Lee, who took a year off before going to college to join the NCCC, is ?the youngest in the group,? he said.
The NCCC is a volunteer organization. Government and non-profit agencies apply for NCCC to do work for them. If the agencies can show that they have six to eight weeks of work for 10 volunteers, there is a possibility that the NCCC can come and volunteer, said Lee?s team leader Beth Stewart.
Lee credits Theory of Knowledge teacher Tim Kane in making him ?more of a free thinker,? Lee said.
The concept of the class, ?teaching you how to think, spurred the individuality,? Lee added.
?You join for a different reason when you?re younger [and] ? you?re open to learning more,? Stewart said.
However, the NCCC has allowed ?all sorts of experiences and places I?ve never expected to go,? media specialist and team member Peyton Craighill said.
Badger 5, as Lee?s team is known, is working on renovating a mansion and a farm for Samaritan Women, an organization based out of Baltimore.
According to its website, Samaritan Women ?caters to women (ages 17 and up) who are committed to moving forward from hurtful choices and unfortunate circumstances.?
The land is approximately 17 acres, with the farm taking up two to three acres. According to team leader Beth Stewart, the land is under environmental protection.
After graduating, Lee plans to ?go on a road trip [and is] hoping to explore the states [and] may also apply to become a team leader for Americorps,? he said.
But, the NCCC is ?by far the greatest experience in my life,? Lee added.