The spirit of giving is alive at Grosse Pointe South High School, driven by determined student leaders. From organizing large-scale fundraisers to donating hundreds of pounds of food, these students prove that making a meaningful impact is achievable for anyone willing to step up.
Students seeking ways to contribute can find opportunities in almost every club, according to Melissa Petz, the school’s clubs coordinator.
“I think students, by being involved and aware — whether it’s joining the Honor Society, painting different window displays, or working on initiatives with the Village Association here in our community, all the way to participating in the National Honor Society — really gain a lot,” Petz said.
The biggest challenge students often face is following through and not finding the initial interest. To help students overcome the problem of a lack of time, Petz encourages a simple commitment strategy to build confidence and efficiency.
“I believe in the power of three,” Petz said. “By the time you hit three different initiatives, you make an impact.”
This hands-on approach is demonstrated by the juniors’ class council, which dedicates itself to creating large-scale events that benefit their class and the community. Junior class secretary Avery Jakubowski ’27 highlights their success in creating engaging, fun projects.
“In the fall, we have a fall harvest carnival, which was slightly based off our carnival that we hold in the spring every year,” Jakubowski said. “We hold games and different events in the main gym and throughout the school with food and stuff like that.”
Similarly, the Black Student Union (BSU) focuses on high-impact projects that require easy participation, making it simple for the entire school to contribute. BSU President Morgan Duff ’26 detailed how they chose their main annual project after careful research.
“We found Gleaners, which is something easy that everyone can participate in,” Duff said. “Everyone can go in their pantry and grab a couple of cans.”
For students juggling sports and academics, these clubs offer a break from daily stress. The increasing enthusiasm for these clubs shows that for many students, helping out has turned into something students genuinely look forward to.
“The humanity in all of us wants to give back,” Petz said. “It’s not always financial; it’s about volunteerism. We have an amazing staff and administration that embraces the full student learning experience, both in and out of the classroom.”
Petz believes the secret to a successful community is starting small and doing it together. Whether it’s the fishing club teaching children in Detroit or a student learning Spanish downtown, both experiences benefit everyone involved.

“I often say, grab a friend, grab a teacher, or grab a mentor and do it together, because things are more fun together,” Petz said. “Just start. Put yourself out there. By the time you hit three different efforts, it fills your ‘feel-good bucket’ in your heart. Don’t evaluate after the first instance—see where you fall after three, and just get involved.”