Watsonville High Students Volunteer Over 4,900 Hours Combined

At Watsonville High School, students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service to qualify for graduation. This requirement averages out to 10 hours per year, but several students have far surpassed this benchmark. The dedication of three seniors—Crystal Martinez, Daniela Martinez, and Oscar Guerrero-Celedon—has resulted in a staggering total of over 4,900 community service hours.

Cristal Martinez has volunteered more than 1,200 hours with Jacob’s Heart, an organization dedicated to supporting families of children with cancer. Meanwhile, Daniela Martinez has accumulated over 2,200 hours through her involvement with the Watsonville Police Cadets and various summer camps. Oscar Guerrero-Celedon has contributed more than 1,540 hours as a coach with the Pajaro Valley United soccer club.

### A Commitment to Community

For many, the number of hours dedicated to community service is notable, especially alongside academic commitments. However, for Daniela Martinez, the experience was about much more than the hours logged. “I didn’t really care for the hours,” she said. “I cared for what I learned. I gained a lot during that experience, and I don’t regret staying for two years.”

Her journey began in eighth grade when she chose the police cadets for her community service project. This decision led her to a variety of experiences, including assisting with traffic control and attending police department functions in neighboring areas such as Aromas and Pebble Beach.

Daniela described her experiences as varying from calm to “very nerve-wracking.” She recalled being present at a serious car accident and witnessing other high-stakes situations. “I was just a cadet, but putting myself in a cop’s shoes, it was like, ‘What would I even do in that situation?’” she reflected.

### Personal Growth Through Volunteering

In addition to her work with the police, Daniela also served as a counselor at Camp St. Francis and Camp Auxilium, where she led activities for campers. “It was a really fun summer routine, but it was very tiring,” she noted. Through this role, she developed essential communication skills, emphasizing collaboration over directives.

Crystal Martinez, unrelated to Daniela, chose to volunteer with Jacob’s Heart, where she initially engaged in tasks like coloring pages to uplift young patients. Over time, her responsibilities expanded to include packing groceries for families and organizing items for the food pantry. “With the kids, I felt like I was able to see a different world,” she shared. “Sometimes just coloring with them when they come into the office makes their day.”

Crystal’s most memorable moment involved creating a birthday card for a child who later told her he still cherished it months later. “(That) made my day,” she said, emphasizing the significant impact small gestures can have on others.

### Coaching and Community Connection

Oscar Guerrero-Celedon has been actively involved with the Pajaro Valley United soccer club since 2022. He dedicated his time to coaching, organizing equipment, and communicating with both players and their parents. He found joy in teaching soccer skills while also imparting life lessons. “Starting kids will take feedback more personally while some kids will learn better by different ways,” he explained.

His work has not only helped the young athletes improve their skills but has also allowed him to build lasting relationships within the community. “I would like to keep doing this by being there for the kids and showing them how soccer is important and how to play soccer,” he stated.

### The Importance of Community Service

Crystal Martinez believes that community service is vital for everyone, regardless of whether it is a graduation requirement. “It’s a better way to feel better about yourself and actually give back to our community,” she said. “Just writing a card for someone or doing something so small brightens up someone’s day.”

These remarkable students serve as an inspiring reminder of the profound impact community service can have—not just on those who receive help, but also on those who give it. Their collective contributions to Watsonville illustrate the power of volunteering and the lasting benefits it brings to the community.