Bingo: High school students fulfill service requirements with bingo

HAGERSTOWN - The young faces stand out on bingo night at The Village at Robinwood.

Residents of the retirement community look forward to more activity than usual when South Hagerstown High School students help with the bingo game.

"The last time we were here, we had applause and a standing ovation," said junior Emily Forrester, a member of South High's National Honor Society and Key Club, the school's service organization.

Students from both groups take turns monthly leading evening bingo at Robinwood. The young people spin the bingo wheel and call out the numbers or play bingo along with the residents.

The students are rewarded with smiles from the residents, stories of the past and the opportunity to learn patience as bingo numbers have to be repeated often.

South High teacher Bob Hornbecker hatched the idea for the standing bingo date to help students fulfill the group community service hours required as members of South High's National Honor Society.

Most sign up because of their desire to serve the community, Jozik said, although some join looking to fulfill the student service-learning hours required to graduate.

Elizabeth Rohrer, 85, remembers what a "nice kid" Hornbecker was growing up. She added that she looks forward to the students' visits.

Brittany Iseminger, a junior, whose grandmother is in a nursing home, said she doesn't get to visit her often. She said she thinks her grandmother would enjoy having young people play bingo with her.

"They like being visited and play bingo games. They're all really nice and it's fun," Brittany said.

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