Reflecting on Upper School Service-Learning Day, March 5

On Friday, March 5, 2026 Forest Ridge Upper School students in Grades 9, 10, and 12 participated in a Service-Learning Day rooted in the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria and animated by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Together, students were invited to reflect on what it means to live Goal III: educating to a social awareness that impels to action, and Goal IV: building community as a Christian value. 

The morning began with reflections from guest speakers who challenged students to consider how service begins with seeing one another clearly. Inspired by her own 9th grade advisory, Ms. Omondi framed the morning by having students think about our connection to land, space, and place, reminding us that where we stand shapes our sense of belonging and responsibility to community. 

Our first guest speaker, Sarah Riggio, shared the story of her ministry of hospitality, grounded in the Gospel call of Matthew 25: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Through something as simple as a welcome table, coffee, snacks, resources for families, she creates space for people to be greeted with dignity and humanity. Her message to students was powerful in its simplicity: sometimes justice begins with small acts that say, “I see you.” In the Kingdom of God, tiny things can be transformative. 

Pam Genise ‘94 then offered students practical ways to make a difference through the lens of the Goals and Criteria. She reminded them that conversations about various topics, including immigration, are ultimately about people and human dignity, encouraged them to ask deeper questions—“Isn’t it more complicated than that?”—and affirmed that each student’s voice matters. Showing up, speaking thoughtfully, and taking even small steps can create real impact. 

Students carried these reflections with them as they spent the day serving with community partners across the greater Seattle area. In the coming days, we look forward to sharing a few glimpses of their experiences ranging from working with Operation Sack Lunch to Jubilee Reach to Heron’s Nest to Mountains to Greenway. 

The day concluded with a reflection facilitated by members of our wonderful Class of 2029. Sophomore leaders encouraged their peers to think deeply about how they can encounter their neighbors with openness, humility, and a willingness to see the humanity in every person they meet. Drawing on the themes from the day, they reminded students that service is not only about what we do, but about how we show up: asking deeper questions, extending welcome, and recognizing that even small acts of compassion can help build the kind of community our Sacred Heart mission calls us to create. 

Service-Learning Days like today are always a powerful reminder that the Sacred Heart mission calls our students not only to understand the world, but to respond to it—with compassion, humility, and courage. 

View more photos from the day on our Instagram @forestridgeschool!