Noelle Meyers-Powell, class of 2010 and one of the first students at St. Edmund Prep H.S., Sheepshead Bay, to receive the International Baccalaureate Diploma, recently visited the preparatory school to speak to the current IB Diploma candidates about community service.

A major component of the IB Diploma is the creativity, action and service requirement. Students create and actively participate in a service project throughout their two years in the program.

After graduating from St. Edmund, Meyers-Powell decided to build a career focusing on community service and is currently working with the Food Bank for New York City. There, she has been an integral part of the Tiered Engagement Network (TEN). The TEN program offers an assortment of long-term volunteer opportunities to anyone who has the time to commit.

Meyers-Powell thought that this could be a wonderful experience for current IB students. She spoke to them about the many service opportunities in the five boroughs.

The students expressed an interest in working in senior centers and food banks, where they will be able to provide meaningful and varied service.

Since the St. Edmund Prep IB Programme is growing, this service opportunity fits well with the addition of new IB classes such as sports, exercise, health science, theatre and music. Presently, 100 students are taking at least one IB course and the program has approximately 32 full IB Diploma candidates for the Class of 2017.

“The Prep community is excited to join forces with the Food Bank Of New York and appreciates Noelle’s commitment to service and taking the time to meet with our students,” said Kate Jones, IB Coordinator.

St. Edmund Prep, a co-educational school, is the only Catholic high school in New York City that offers the prestigious IB Diploma Programme. Less than 1,000 schools offer the program nationwide.

The program is recognized by universities and colleges throughout the world.