WPS Students Partner with Small Miracles & Chesapeake Housing Association
Berlin, MD – On Saturday, September 10, 2022, a group of Worcester Preparatory School (WPS) students, in partnership with the Community Church of Ocean Pines (CCOP) Small Miracles program and Chesapeake Housing Association, built a ramp for a local veteran in Snow Hill, MD.
WPS teacher Allison Bescak and a group of students; freshman Caitlin Shimko, sophomore Landon Schul, juniors Lebby Becker, Dylan Simons, Hunter Simons, Elaina Elrick, Moorea Phillips, Natalie Chadwell, Claire Windrow, Isabella Huber, Vanesska Hall, Luke Hopkins and senior Cooper Ludt. They were joined by members of Small Miracles and Chesapeake Housing Association.
About 6 years ago, WPS alumni Devin Wallace expressed interest in joining the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). Allison Bescak had already worked with the program for many years, so she gathered a large group of students to travel to the mountains and help build homes to be safer in the rigid atmosphere. Unfortunately, when COVID hit they had to come up with a new plan.
“We realized that it is just as important to serve our own community,” Bescak said. “We partnered with the Community Church of Ocean Pines and their program, Small Miracles, to do similar work for our fellow neighbors.”
This past weekend’s project surfaced by Michael Franklin, Director of the Chesapeake Housing Mission and WPS parent, who was approached by Small Miracles asking if a group of individuals would be willing to help build a ramp for a local veteran.
“I have found, along with the students, that once you get out of our comfort zone and push yourself to be of service to others, there is a such a positive feeling that arises, and that makes it contagious,” Bescak said of taking on the project. “Some might argue that it is a selfish feeling to want to feel good for helping your neighbor. I say, capture that feeling and let it spread like wild fire!”
She is in hopes that the project will become a movement for the school, as more and more students become more involved. Which is good news considering Chesapeake Housing Association has already expressed interest in partnering with WPS on a regular basis.
Founded in 1970, WPS is a private, independent Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 School, located in Berlin, Maryland. Approximately 500 students attend from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. For more information about WPS, please visit www.worcesterprep.org or call 410.641.3575.
Worcester Preparatory School
508 South Main Street, Berlin, MD 21811
Phone: 410-641-3575 | Fax: 410-641-3586
Celebrating 50 years, WPS is an independent, college prep day school for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. Located in Berlin, Maryland, the private school attracts an average of 500 students from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.
