Editor’s Note: We welcome Gabriella Lozada as our new Falcon Insider. She is beginning her junior year at Salisbury High School and is very active in the theater program and involved with the track and field team. Outside of school, Gabriella enjoys playing guitar, piano and singing; she plays at churches around the Lehigh Valley leading worship. She is planning to study music and psychology in college in hopes of becoming a music therapist.

With the start of the new school year, students and staff continue to search for a sense of normalcy while they navigate the virtual learning environment. While this happens, some students such as Neveah Robinson and Lindsay Rapp have seen the beginning of this school year as an opportunity, rather than a trial, to help those who are less fortunate.

Last year Robinson and Rapp reached out to the student body to gather members for their club G.I.V.E. - Get Involved Value Everyone. G.I.V.E. allows students, staff and those in the community to come together to get involved and help those who are in need.

“Our goal is to give everyone a chance to experience the privilege of volunteering and participating in outreach work. We find great importance in the relationships and experiences gained from volunteering,” Robinson said.

G.I.V.E. has held Easter basket drives, necessity drives, grocery bag packing, etc. in their effort to help others. They held a fundraiser Aug. 22 gathering school supplies from people in the community for The Valley Youth House for children in grades K-12.

“The benefits from the activities and opportunities we organize are creating individual growth as well as community/citizen relationships. We will continue using our resources to benefit the community, especially within today’s circumstances,” Neveah said. Be on the lookout for more fundraisers run by G.I.V.E. or any other club that have great causes such as this one. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community you know and love.

Fall sports are beginning to provide a sense of normalcy, while they discover the realities of a “new normal” for the athletes, coaches and those in the community who are devoted to going to see games, matches and meets.

Sports are not only coming back in our world but also in our community. If you are one of the many people who have missed watching sports during this past quarantine, this news is for you. Fall sports officially began this past week. Students and staff have joined for practice, practicing social distancing and screening before practice begins. They are excited to be back in action and grateful for the opportunity to play again. Games are open to the community at a max of 250 people. If you are looking to attend a game, match or meet, please keep in mind social distancing and wear a mask.

Finally, there is a scholarship opportunity for children in grades 5-12.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Prudential Financial in 1995 to honor both middle and high school students for outstanding acts of community service.

To qualify for this award students must be in grades 5-12 as of Nov. 12, a legal resident of the U.S. and volunteered somewhere at least 12 months before applying. The deadline for application is Nov. 10. Take advantage of this opportunity!

That’s all for this week; stay tuned for more student news.