The Black and White

by Kaylie Martell

Urban Sociology

The Adopt-a-Patriot drive is led by Pilgrim’s Ms. Bernardi, Mr. SanGiovanni, and the students who take his urban sociology class. Urban sociology is a class that is available during a student’s senior year, which teaches the principles of urban environments and also includes a community service portion. 

This class is a tradition at Pilgrim High School. It originated 15 years ago and when the opportunity to take it over arrived, Mr. SanGiovanni jumped to take control. He explained that he had many connections to the area and community and wanted to give back. Also, having worked with underclassmen for a long time, he wanted to have the chance to work with upperclassmen, specifically seniors. Mr. SanGiovanni describes this class as a great class, leaving students to feel like they are in charge of making a difference in their local community by recognizing social problems such as poverty, food insecurity, and acting with a community service focus in hopes of making a real impact. 

Adopt-a-Patriot 

Adopt-a-Patriot is the project urban sociology students worked on during the Christmas season. This drive helps families in need right before the holidays, giving them wrapped presents, gift cards, and household needs for free. 

Ms. Bernardi plays a huge role in this drive as she canvasses the Pilgrim area, looking for families who are in need and asking for donations. Money is also raised through a December calendar raffle. Each day, there is a drawing and money raised goes towards Adopt-a-Patriot, with some also going to the Gerald Habershaw Scholarship Foundation. 

Students in Action 

Ms. Bernardi gave students a list of families with items that they requested for Christmas. Students, Adriana Vázquez and Paige Morris, describe their roles in Adopt-a-Patriot. They explained how students go out and purchase gifts during specific times of the school day using money that was donated. If students can’t get the exact gift a family requests, students will try their best to substitute it, within a $50 dollar limit. 

Students take this class in the hopes of helping as many of those in need as possible and giving back to their community. “I would take this class your senior year because it’s fun and you get to leave school,” said Adriana Vázquez. “And you obviously get to help people!”. Paige Morris explains that another benefit of taking this class is you can track and use community service hours fulfilled by activities completed in Urban Sociology.

Last year, Urban Sociology students helped over 40 families during Adopt-a-Patriot. This year, students raised over $2,000! This class also runs many other activities throughout the year. For example, this past fall, students raised 1,000 pounds of food for a food pantry in the community, Westbay Community Action!