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Dear Laker Community,
“At Windermere Preparatory School, we believe that learning is a lifelong journey of making meaning of the world around us through inquiry, curiosity, and a sense of purpose…” That very sense of purpose we strive to instill throughout our school community is of paramount importance, and serves as my focus today.
Every week across our school community, students are engaging in service in a wide range of powerful ways. Some partner with local non-profits, others initiate independent projects or establish their own charitable organizations, some travel to complete their service work elsewhere, and many participate in global outreach efforts. These experiences shape not only their understanding of the world, but also their sense of shared responsibility toward it. The depth, creativity, and sincerity of their service work continues to inspire our faculty and staff.
The IB Learner Profile describes a Principled individual as someone who acts with integrity and honesty, demonstrates fairness and justice, and respects the dignity and rights of all people. Through their service efforts, our students live out these values in tangible ways. They learn that service is not a requirement to be checked off, but a mindset rooted in empathy, reflection, and purposeful action.
Today, I am writing to share information about a meaningful service tradition at Windermere Preparatory School that reflects our students’ commitment to making a positive impact. On Wednesday, January 21 from 2:00-6:00 PM, we will host our third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Event, inspired by Dr. King’s lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and community engagement. Observed annually on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is recognized as a National Day of Service—an opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy by taking action to strengthen our communities.
During next week’s Day of Service Event, our high school students will collaborate on over 17 community service projects of their own design and choice. Individual students, clubs, and Honor Societies will host service stations throughout high school classrooms. There is truly something for everyone: from cards for terminally ill hospital patients, to making science experiment kits for donation to the local Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida, to making plush stuffed animals for donation to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital.
All high school students are encouraged to attend and participate alongside their teachers. Students may remain with their clubs or rotate among stations, discovering causes that resonate with them personally. The event offers a joyful environment where students connect socially while working collectively toward meaningful impact—demonstrating that positive change often begins with small, shared actions.
Music and food trucks will be available during the event, with proceeds donated to Seeway Tanzania to support their efforts to build a hospital. Families are welcome to stop by, enjoy a meal, and contribute to this important cause.
As we approach this special day, I encourage families to speak with their children about the causes that matter most to them and the legacy they hope to create through service. Our students are capable of extraordinary impact—not someday, but now.
As we aspire to instill that sense of community, purpose, and reflect on our role in improving the world, I leave you with this wisdom.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Mr. Justin Muenker
WPS High School Social Studies Teacher and IB CAS and Service Learning Coordinator
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