Community Connections is a volunteer and community learning club at Stroudsburg High School (SHS). The club is known for its work within the community, through organizations such as the Valor House and the Salvation Army, and its field trips to places such as Mazezilla and Kalahari. This is Community Connections 3rd year at SHS with Heather Nowosad and Sherri McIntyre being both the advisors and the founders of the organization.
“My goal as Vice President is to get more people showing interest in the club by hosting trips, community service, helping those in need, and anything else that can empower people to make a positive change in our community.
— Saphire Benenato, '26
.sno-pullquote-6920a0d6a353f { display: flex; float: right; margin: 30px 0 30px 30px; width: 50%; border-color: #888888; border-top-width: 5px; border-right-width: 5px; border-bottom-width: 5px; border-left-width: 5px; } .sno-pullquote-6920a0d6a353f p.pullquotetext, .sno-pullquote-6920a0d6a353f p.quotespeaker { } .sno-pullquote-6920a0d6a353f .pullquotepic { width: 33%; margin-left: 25px; } .sno-story-body .sno-pullquote-6920a0d6a353f p.pullquotetext { font-size: 22px; line-height: 1.4em; } .sno-pullquote-6920a0d6a353f .quotebar { background: #dddddd; flex: 0 0 90px; margin-top: -15px; margin-left: -15px; padding-left: 15px; padding-top: 15px; margin-right: 15px; } .sno-pullquote-6920a0d6a353f .largequote { color: #888888; } .sno-pullquote-6920a0d6a353f .quotebody { width: unset; }The club’s recent election has decided its 2025-26 Community Connections officers. Congratulations to co-presidents Gian Dela Cruz and Isabella Thomas, co-vice presidents Nyla Stewart and Saphire Benenato, co-secretaries Vaidek Patel and Jorja Binikos, and co-treasurers Daid Martinez and Aubrey Schaffer. These officers, along with the advisors and the rest of the club, have been working to create numerous opportunities to benefit the community. Community Connections has 3 recent events: Rock, Paper, Scissors; Kids Holiday Craft Night; and Pins for Pets.
Rock, Paper, Scissors was a fundraiser for Community Connections which took place during November 20 and November 21, 2025. Beaded necklaces were sold at lunches in order to raise funds and ensure participation. Students and staff were then able to challenge each other to a game of rock, paper, scissors for a chance to win the others’ necklaces. The three students who had the most necklaces at the end of the day won a variety of prizes.
A holiday craft night for kids will be held on December 12th from 5:30 to 8:00 in the high school cafeteria. Children, grades K-4, and their families are invited to participate in simple holiday arts and crafts. Each bag of crafts is $10 and consists of materials to create reindeer, snowmen, stars, and ornaments. Members of both Community Connections and the Art Club will be at this event in order to help children with bags, work the supplies tables, and to overall manage the event.
Pins for Pets is a bowling event to help profit Camp Papillon. This event will be held at Skylanes most likely in February of 2026. When people pay to bowl, the additional profits will be donated to Camp Papillon. Additionally, Community Connections is attempting to work with the animal shelter to bring dogs to the school leading up to the event. This will help to socialize the dogs and assist students in de-stressing all while raising awareness about the fundraiser.
“Community Connections shows how important it is to help others who are in need whether it’s at Morey Elementary across the street, at the Valor House, or any of the other places we volunteer at. This club has made me much more open to volunteering within my community.” – Madison Williams, ‘26
If anyone has interest in joining Community Connections, the next meeting will be December 8, 2025 in room B105. Meetings are typically on the first and third Mondays of the month. Everyone is welcome!