After a decade of inactivity, Berkeley High School’s Associated Student Body (ASB) leadership team brought back a month-long tradition, putting community service and engagement as a priority.
The ASB Month of Service was first introduced around 2016, but faded as ASB leaders’ participation and initiative declined. ASB President Sophia Nishioka noticed that ASB leaders often lose momentum in the second semester, prompting her to restart the program with the help of John Villavicencio, BHS’ Director of Student Activities.
“We think that it’s a great way for the executive team and all of leadership to connect back to the roots of what leadership should be, which is service to the community,” Nishioka said.
Each member of the ASB executive team is required to organize a service event, usually in groups of 2-3 students, and complete four hours of service throughout the month.
Six events are scheduled from the beginning of March to early April, with objectives ranging from environmental sustainability projects to student-led yoga classes.
The first event, held on Sunday, Mar. 1, 2026 at Fourth Street, was a bake sale organized by Commissioner of the Arts Solana Schwarzinger-Reuter, and Commissioner of Multicultural Affairs Kimia Azadpur. The sale aimed to raise money for care packages for the Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center, a nonprofit organization supporting unhoused women and children through hospitality services. Each care package includes self-care and essential items.
On Monday, Mar. 23, 2026, students gathered in the M Gym for a community sculpt yoga class led by Rigzin Gyaltsen, Commissioner of Equity and Student Rights and Sophie Pomfret, Chief of Clubs. The event focused on promoting physical and mental wellness to the community through yoga sculpt — a blend of traditional yoga with strength-training exercises.
Several students enjoyed that the event combined calming aspects with fast-paced, challenging ones. “I really liked the flow. After we did really hard stuff, we just got to hang down, and that was really, push-pull,” La’Nia Devine-Scott, a BHS freshman and attendee, said.
On Friday, Mar. 27, 2026, students participated in a campus cleanup and native species planting event. Cole Geurtsen, Commissioner of Environmental Sustainability, and Commissioners of Health and Athletics, Kavi Jivan and Akanni Owodunni, hosted the activities.
Since Monday, Mar. 9, 2026, Anayah Tankson, Chief of Social Activities and Jaymul Barot, Commissioner of Technology, are curating custodial staff appreciation kits. With collection bins welcoming handwritten notes and cards, snacks, gift cards, and larger projects from art classes, their efforts aim for custodial staff to feel seen and celebrated.
Meanwhile, Brooks Trotmore, the Chief of Service, organized a weekly clothing exchange, known as Clothes Cycle, during every Friday lunch at the BHS re-use center. The event is a nonprofit and allows students to donate and reuse clothing, reducing negative environmental impact and supporting those in need. Trotmore was inspired by the amount of clothing waste in the U.S.
“The U.S. alone produces 11.3 billion tons of textile waste every year. None of that’s being used. We’re just not distributing it properly,” Trotmore said.
The initiative took months of planning and coordination with the community. Trotmore highlighted lack of clothing as a prominent but overlooked issue, noting service groups often have limited or no clothing supply. “Everyone deserves to have a wardrobe that fits them well,” he said.
The return of the Month of Service reintroduces a sense of accountability and purpose to BHS. “I think these events are very valuable, for not just us as leadership, but for all the students at (BHS),” Geurtsen said.