Emporia State Associated Student Government hosted its second annual “Day of Service” in downtown Emporia on April 3 from 3 to 5 p.m. 

According to School of Business and Technology Senator and Senate Operations Chair Kesiena Lesso, ASG hosts the Day of Service as an opportunity for Recognized Student Organizations to complete service hours. RSOs are required to log 30 service hours as a group each school year. However, Lesso says that the ASG Day of Service means more than just meeting a requirement.

“When I thought about it, I thought it really goes beyond just getting hours, you know,” said Lesso. “As student leaders, as ESU representatives, we’re supposed to lead by example. And one way we can do that is really engaging with the community, and that’s a huge thing.”

Lesso was “surprised” and “happy” to report that roughly 30 students participated in the Day of Service. Attendees worked on beautifying Emporia’s downtown area by cleaning, picking up trash and picking weeds, and received a free T-shirt. For the event, ASG partnered with Emporia Main Street who provided the equipment they needed. 

“I really got to meet with a lot of community members (on Thursday), and they were so excited to see ESU students out there,” she said. 

Last year, the service day took place on ESU’s campus. Although ESU is a part of Emporia’s community, ASG recognizes the importance of engaging with the off-campus community as well. 

Lesso explained that the idea for RSO came from former Director of the Center for Student Involvement Blythe Eddy, who said that the community did not think ESU students participated in the community enough. Service hours are a way to promote community engagement.

“I think it’s really important (to engage with the community), because it does help students know that the community is important,” said Lesso. “And when we support the community, it helps our campus as well, and it also builds leadership skills, and it’s fun.”