That was the message shared Tuesday when officials recognized Edison High School as the county’s Most United School.

“It’s a great learning experience,” explained Marci Snyder-Crawford, the United Way’s executive director, after she and board members presented a banner during an assembly at the school. “I want kids to realize that you don’t have to be a certain age to make a difference. You can be young and make change. It’s one little thing.”

Edison, Catholic Central, Buckeye Local and Indian Creek competed in the challenge, which took place May 11-15. The weeklong initiative focused on service, generosity and student leadership.

Students at Edison donated 1,025 volunteer hours, contributed $216, collected 200 items, performed 732 acts of kindness and added another 748 acts during spirit week. The efforts will benefit members of the community.

Among the agencies benefiting was the Saline Township Food Pantry. Director Rhonda Householder told students their efforts are making a major impact on the 240 families the pantry serves, as well as other members of the community.

“When you saw a need in Saline Township, you helped us, and that was essential,” Householder said. “We need your support, and we want to support you.”

Matt Morrison, the school’s principal, said students are always willing to step up and help others.

“We have a lot of volunteers here,” Morrison said after the assembly. “They rise to the occasion with community fundraisers like this. The number of hours that they put in at the food pantries and the food bank was just fabulous. We are very proud of them.”

Scoring in the competition was based on a point system. Students earned points for their schools by donating $1 or more, donating items such as canned goods and hygiene products, and volunteering in the community.

“I think it is terrific that these young people are learning the value of volunteerism,” said Tony Mougianis, vice president of the United Way board. “Learning that from a young age is important. I wish I had had that. I learned more as an adult later on. But if that gets instilled in them young, they will be a great help to our community. That’s the hope.”

Householder told students it is important to help others in the community.

“It’s a good feeling to reach out and help others,” she said during the assembly. “We get to help our neighbors, we get to offer support where it’s needed and it pulls our community together.”

Mougianis said he hopes the spirit of service continues to grow.

“We are very thankful for each and every one of you, and hope that through your high school careers you will continue to volunteer and help others,” he said.

Also attending the presentation were board members Cookie West and Renee Decker.

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