Silver Cord Program
Ames High School, as part of its mission to provide students with opportunities to develop to their fullest potential and become valuable members of society, implemented the Silver Cord Service Program on October 1, 2022. Students who interact positively within their community will not only benefit their community, but will also develop their own leadership and citizenship skills. To encourage and reward volunteerism and community service, the Silver Cord Program will recognize seniors each year who have made contributions to their community through service.
Students who have completed 200 hours of volunteer service during their high school career will be awarded the silver cord and will wear it at their graduation ceremony. It is recommended, but not required, that students complete 50 hours of service activities per year to reach 200 hours. A verification form must be completed every time a student volunteers. Do not put multiple dates on one form. These completed forms must be given to your counselor so they can be added to the student’s service file. Please hand in your completed forms throughout the year as you complete your volunteer hours and not all at once.
To be considered, all verification forms must be completed and submitted by the end of each school year for any service activity completed during that school year or the previous summer. Seniors must complete their service hours prior to April 15th of their senior year. Service hours for incoming freshmen begin on the first day of their freshman year.
The Ames High Silver Cord program started with the class of 2023. Students started documenting their hours starting October 1st, 2022. The following hours will be required for Silver Cord Honors for each graduating class:
Class of 2024: 100 Hours
Class of 2025: 150 Hours
Class of 2026: 200 Hours
Classes Thereafter: 200 Hours
Silver Cord Service Program Ideas for Service
The following are ideas that would be acceptable to fulfill hours of service:
- Volunteering for community service organizations
- Reading to the elderly
- Assisting elderly community members with household chores
- Volunteering for church projects
- Helping to improve school grounds
- Shoveling sidewalks/raking for the elderly
- Cleaning ditches or other public areas around the community
- Assisting with Special Olympics
- Assisting at a hospital, shelter, day care, or nursing home
- Beautifying community property (main street, parks, etc.)
- Volunteering for school sponsored activities (such as track meets, music contest, quiz bowl, etc.)
- Blood drives
- Volunteering to help coach younger children in sports
- Volunteer tutor for our students
- Volunteer counselor at a camp
- Serving as a youth member of the School Board, Chamber of Commerce, or City Council
- Attending School Board, Chamber of Commerce, or City Council meetings
- Others may be approved by your counselor.
The following activities would NOT be acceptable to fulfill service hours:
- Doing chores at home or helping family members
- Attending church or Sunday School
- Babysitting for a younger sibling
- Working on the family farm
- Completing ANY task for which you receive money
- Doing extra credit homework or helping a teacher with classroom management tasks
- Participating in extra-curricular activities
- Court ordered community service tasks
- Visiting an elderly relative with your family
- Minor acts of kindness (holding a door open, etc.)
- Working for a PROFIT organization for free
- Working for a political party or campaign
- Good Conduct violation community service hours