Volunteering is a great way to get involved at M-A and the local community. Whether it be taking care of pets at a shelter, going on service trips, or counseling kids, volunteering is a niche and personal experience for each individual that creates a positive impact on the community. Here are some volunteer opportunities at and near M-A. 

M-A Service Learning Center

M-A’s Service Learning Center is the perfect place to start your volunteering journey. Senior co-president Emiko Edmunds has been involved with the SLC since her sophomore year. “We seek to provide equally accessible service opportunities and empower students of all backgrounds to find purpose by serving the Menlo-Atherton community,” she said. 

The SLC runs volunteer opportunities at M-A and in the surrounding community. At M-A, the SLC partners with sports teams and classes, including the water polo team, AVID, and the Computer Academy. “We try to make sure that we structure service learning with an emphasis on both service and learning to partner the community and students,” Edmunds said. In the community, the SLC hosts Garden Days at the Belle Haven Community Garden, where students help clean and reorganize the garden. 

“Going into service, we make sure people are aware of the issues communities are facing and the benefits of service learning,” Edmunds said. “There are so many benefits that you can get from volunteering, whether that’s finding a sense of purpose or community. It can really transform your life as well as other communities.” 

The Service Learning Center meets in P-5 on Mondays during lunch. To learn more about the club, follow their Instagram. 

Palo Alto Art Center

The Palo Alto Art Center is an option for artistic teens interested in helping children activate their creativity. They have many opportunities to volunteer throughout the year that are flexible options to teens’ schedules like day events. 

In the summer, the PAAC holds art camps for children, where high schoolers have the chance to be counselors in training. During the school year, the PAAC has options where students can volunteer for art events. “Most of our teens volunteer in our kid and teen camps and classes. These teens assist the teaching artists in prepping for a class, helping the students in the class, and cleaning up,” Rebecca Passarello, Director of Volunteer Engagement, said. 

“Many of our students truly enjoy working with kids. Many, but not all, of the volunteers are also artists themselves and learn from the teaching artist that they are volunteering with,” Passarello said. 

To learn more about volunteering opportunities with the PAAC, contact Passarello’s email [email protected]. 

Pets In Need

Pets In Need is an animal center located in Palo Alto dedicated to providing animals with caring and loving homes through adoption, serving as a perfect volunteer opportunity for animal-loving teens. “We accomplish our mission by transferring cats and dogs to our facilities from public shelters in the Bay Area and beyond when they are in danger of being euthanized due to space or financial limitations,”  Marketing Manager Eddie Solis said. 

There are a variety of opportunities for students to volunteer at Pets In Need. From walking dogs to spreading awareness about Pets In Need’s mission, students have a wide range of options. Teens can get involved by organizing fundraisers, shelter volunteering, or assist with in-shelter or office roles. To Solis, fundraising is one of the most impactful volunteer options. “All donations go directly to the Pets In Need fund, supporting our Animal Care and Outreach teams in purchasing necessary pet supplies and food for the animals in our care,” Solis said. 

“Volunteering is not only a chance to help animals in need but also an opportunity to gain valuable skills, connect with like-minded peers, and experience the joy of giving back,” Solis said. “Whether you can commit a few hours a week or a day each month, your contribution helps save lives and build a brighter future for animals in our care,” Solis said. 

To learn more about volunteering at Pets In Need, reach out to the email [email protected].   

Ecumenical Hunger Program

The Ecumenical Hunger Program is a food distribution center that aims to provide those in need with basic necessities, including food and clothing. Located in East Palo Alto, EHP serves families living in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, and surrounding areas. 

EHP has various programs for students to volunteer in. The Food Closet sorts, stocks, and packs food boxes to distribute to the community Monday through Thursday. Students can also volunteer in the warehouse, where they sort and organize through donations. 

M-A partners with EHP for Distribution Day with their annual Canned Food Drive. “There are a lot of families who look forward to that yearly. In addition to what we give, M-A is able to raise money and get specific items that they want to give,” Executive Assistant CarsJanae Pettiford said. 

“Every toy, every pair of sheets, and every canned food that’s brought in, we are giving back to the community. By volunteering, you provide that safety net for members in our community to have what they need,” Pettiford said. “A lot of people rely so heavily on people’s generosity and kindness, so being that person, you’re being the change you want to see.” 

Pettiford advised students interested in volunteering to “be of service, continue to be open, and be mindful of what you’re doing.” “You’re contributing to a way better world. We are losing people who really want to give back, so continue volunteering,” she said. 

To learn more about volunteering at EHP, reach out to the email [email protected].

The Middlebury men’s track and field team closed out competition at the three-day NCAA Championships on Saturday. The national meet is being held at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• On Thursday, Xander Swann posted the second-quickest time in the 400-meter hurdles to advance to Saturday’s final. In the championship heat, Swann rounded the final 100 just ahead of a tight bunch of competitors. The Panther leaned across the line to grab third place with a clocking of 52.63 seconds. 
• In the hammer throw, Dave Filias finished in 15th place with a toss of 56.09 meters. The mark was achieved on his third toss, bettering his previous attempts by more than  a meter. 

NOTES

• In the 400 hurdles, three of the top-four sprinters hailed from the NESCAC as Colby’s Levi Biery stood atop the podium.
• Swann caps his career as a member of the indoor 4×200 relay school record squad, while also breaking the Allan Dragone facility mark in the 400 hurdles (52.52 seconds).
• Filias set the program mark in the hammer last season, tossing the implement 61.22m.

Both Panthers earn All-American honors with their respective finishes, with the full list to be announced when the competition finishes. 

Diu- J&K finished fourth as Manipur were on Saturday crowned overall champions of the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games 2025, edging Maharashtra and Nagaland on higher silver medal count after all the three teams ended with five gold each.

Manipur secured six silver medals, one more than Maharashtra (5) and three more than Nagaland (3), to top the medal tally.

It also marked a historic high for Nagaland, finishing in the top three of a Khelo India event for the first time.

Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) shared the fourth place, with one silver and three bronze each to add to their rich five-gold haul.

Delhi came next with four gold, two silver and four bronze medals, followed by hosts Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu who impressed with four gold and five bronze medals, all from pencak silat.

Pencak silat, an Indonesian martial art form that has grown in popularity across India, played a decisive role in the overall medal standings.

Of the 46 gold medals awarded at the Games, 28 came from pencak silat.

The fifth gold for Jammu & Kashmir came through their heavyweight athlete Tawzeeh Khan who won his maiden senior gold at National level, giving a huge boost to their campaign despite the tension back home.

“This is my first gold medal at senior level after losing out twice at National level. This will rank up there,” Khan told PTI.

“I’ve been getting nothing but praises since I won the gold last night. Everyone is happy for me. You can all achieve great things, if you have the right dedication. It’s a big moment for J&K contingent.”

Over 1,350 athletes from more than 30 States and Union Territories are participating across six medal sports.

The J&K beach volleyball team also delivered a commendable performance, defeating hosts Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu, followed by a strong win against Chhattisgarh. Their journey ended in the quarterfinals after a closely contested match against a seasoned Kerala team.

The contingent is led by Nusrat Gazala, Divisional Sports Officer (K), acting as Chef de Mission for KIBG 2025, with Mohd Iqbal accompanying the team as Nodal Officer.

While speaking on the games Secretary Sports Council Nuzhat Gul commended the consistent success of J&K athletes at national-level competitions.

The final day results will be announced by the end of day on 24th May.

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PUEBLO, Colo. – In the final race of his illustrious career as an Augustana Viking, Ryan Hartman secured First Team All-America status at the NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday evening.
 
Closing day of competition at the national meet saw an earlier start than previously scheduled due to predicted weather, moving the anticipated men’s 5000-meter run up by five hours.
 
Hartman came out strong to kick things off as he took a third-place position through the first 1000 meters. He would hang in the top six throughout the entire race and jumped from sixth to fourth by the 3000-meter mark before making his final move into third in the final 400 meters.
 
The senior entered the race with the fifth-best time in the country and went on to take third place in the field, crossing the finish line in 14:34.02 for the First Team All-America honors.
 
Augustana’s four qualifying athletes—all in their final seasons with the Vikings—will return to Sioux Falls with one First Team, two Second Team and one Honorable Mention All-Americans.
 

–GoAugie.com–

RESULTS

Junior Rachel Larson of the Ithaca College women’s track & field team posted a third place finish in the 100-meter hurdles on the final day of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships at SPIRE Institute. Larson earned six points to put IC in a tie for 41st in the team standings.

The third place finish for Larson, which was a personal best time of 13.84 seconds and a new school record, resulted in her second career First Team All-American performance. Larson also secured the honor in the 60-meter hurdles during the indoor season with a sixth place showing.

Laura Suppa was also in action for the 100 hurdles final and finished ninth overall to earn a Second Team All-America from the USTFCCCA. Suppa finished the race in 17.97 seconds as a few clipped hurdles down the stretch slowed her momentum.

 

By Naphisabet Mary I Nadon

Over the last decade, the city of Shillong has witnessed the rise of a sporting movement that goes beyond goals and scorelines. The emergence of futsal grounds across the city has created safe, structured, and energising spaces for young people and families alike. No longer just a passing trend, futsal in Shillong is becoming an ecosystem where fitness, discipline, social engagement, and hope thrive.

Futsal, a smaller and faster-paced version of traditional football, is uniquely suited to Shillong’s compact urban landscape. It requires less space but demands greater technical skill, quicker decision-making, and close teamwork. For a generation growing up amidst screen time, rising substance abuse, and limited open areas, futsal offers not only a physical outlet but also a mental and emotional reprieve.

Futsal originated in 1930 in Montevideo, Uruguay, when Argentine teacher Juan Carlos Ceriani developed a version of indoor football for youth recreation in YMCAs. Combining elements from football, basketball, water polo, and handball, Ceriani created a five-a-side game suitable for indoor play on basketball courts. The sport quickly spread throughout South America, gaining particular popularity in Brazil. In 1965, the South American Futsal Confederation was established, comprising Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, and Argentina. FIFA recognized futsal in 1988, organizing the first FIFA Futsal World Championship in 1989, where Brazil emerged as the inaugural champions.

Futsal is known today as the training ground for legends like Pelé, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi, who have often credited the game with sharpening their skills, speed, and reflexes.

The state government has recognised this momentum. In March 2024, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya announced the development of 20 futsal courts across the state, strengthening Meghalaya’s sports infrastructure.

This initiative forms part of the broader Meghalaya Sports Policy 2022, which focuses on developing grassroots sporting facilities, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.

This plan builds upon the foundation laid in 2015, when the first futsal tournament took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex in Shillong, organised by the Futsal Association of Meghalaya (FAM).

FAM, officially registered in 2013, is among the earliest futsal associations under the All India Football Federation (AIFF), pioneering organised futsal in north east India.

Since then, grounds such as the FIFA-certified 4 For All Turf in Diengiong (Mawdiangdiang), Saiti Futsal Arena in Laitkor, and a proposed turf at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) have become key centres for training, tournaments, and community sport.

Other active venues include Langkyrding Futsal and Third Ground Futsal in Mawpat, which regularly host inter-school, youth, and corporate leagues.

At the heart of this movement are the players, coaches, and community members who bring these courts to life. M. Syiem, owner of Saiti Futsal Arena, has seen firsthand the changes futsal has brought:

“Players who come here regularly actually have a high sense of teamwork and social skills. Most importantly, being able to move about has kept them away from harmful activities.”
He adds,
“Young or old, I think having tournaments has impacted their mindset through positive changes, whether in health or mental well-being.”

Another regular player at Saiti, a father who visits with his family, shared,

“Playing futsal has enhanced my body strength. It’s a fitness package, I must say. And yes, our family comes here often, especially on weekends.”
Offering his advice to the younger generation, he said,
“Since every sport is dynamic, younger players should stay consistent. Sports provide flexibility and agility, helping them perform everyday tasks more effectively.”

Among the most inspiring initiatives is the recently launched TN36 Futsal Ground at Umlyngka Mawshai, near 7th Mile. What sets this facility apart is its philosophy. The owners, deeply aware of the struggles faced by young adults in their community, have committed to offering the ground free of cost for two hours once a week to youths of the area. According to them, this decision was driven by a desire to offer young people a safe space where they could find direction, escape harmful habits, and build a support system through sport.

The owner Tamdor Nadon expressed,

“Sometimes, all someone needs is a ball, a team, and a place that feels like theirs. If we can give that once a week, it might just change our lives.”

While the benefits are many, futsal grounds also come with challenges, particularly regarding playing conditions. Some players have raised concerns about the heat generated by the black rubber infill commonly used in artificial turfs. One player noted,

“Futsals are not ideal for kids during the day. The black rubber absorbs so much heat that it can be felt all the way up to your calves.”

Research supports this concern. Studies have shown that artificial turf surfaces can become 50-60°F hotter than natural grass in direct sunlight, posing potential health risks, especially for children. To mitigate this, coaches and organisers are increasingly encouraging early morning or late afternoon play sessions, along with proper hydration and rest periods.

Futsal in Shillong is no longer just about sport — it is a tool for transformation. It fosters not only physical fitness but emotional resilience, community spirit, and opportunity. As grounds continue to spread and support deepens from both the government and private initiatives, futsal is poised to shape not just better athletes, but stronger, more connected individuals. In a city that has always loved football, futsal is writing a new chapter — one filled with energy, purpose, and hope for the generations to come.

(The author is a student of journalism at The English and Foreign Languages University)