GROUP WANTS TO LINK HELP TO GRADUATION

High-school and college students would be required to complete service hours to graduate under a law proponents hope to introduce in the coming legislative session.

The proposal would link education with community service and perhaps build a generation of community volunteers. It is being put forth by the Missouri Community Service Commission, over which Lt. Gov. Roger B. Wilson presides.

Karla Cooper, who works for Kennett public schools, and Elizabeth Dumm of Wilson's staff held a public hearing on the proposed law Wednesday in Cape Girardeau.

Cooper is a member of the Community Service Commission. She said the law is slated to be introduced this spring in the Missouri General Assembly.

Some other states, including Maryland, require service hours for all students to graduate from high school.

The Missouri proposal would encourage local school districts and state universities to enact a service components as part of graduation requirements, but service hours wouldn't become a state mandate.

"I have seen the power of people coming together to make a difference for all," Cooper said.

The law, she said, would help to build a spirit of giving among students, and they could continue community service throughout their lives.

Most of the people who attended the hearing were Americorps participants.

"I feel community service should be required," said Amantha Tyler, an Americorps participant. "There are a lot of things going on in children's lives. If they had an opportunity to get involved in the community, that would give them a chance to connect."

Miss Missouri, Erin Phillips, who also attended the hearing, explained that she started as a 4-H volunteer when she was 8. Starting early is a key, she said.

"If you do it right in high school, students will be turned on to community service," she said.