Seniors Leah Pierre-Louis, Rekha Marar and Himaja Reddy work on blanket.(Courtesy/Mrs. Bening)

Late at night on Thursday, September 6, close to 30 CA students participated in the sleep-out, an activity designed to build empathy for teen homelessness.

The night of the sleep-out stimulated the hardships a homeless teen would have to endure. For that reason, students attended with only a pillow, a sleeping bag and toiletries, spending the night in the athletic gyms.

Coordinated by senior Sidney Derzon, the sleep out also raised awareness and support for the Huckleberry House, a teen homeless shelter and crisis center in Columbus that additionally guides homeless children and young adults in navigating and coping with the hardships of their lives. Several speakers from the Huck House gave insight and shed light on the topic of teen homelessness and answered several students’ questions.

Throughout the night, students participated in a variety of service activities. Several people made ceramic bowls for the the annual Empty Bowls event. Others remained in the gym and tied blankets for the Project Linus Drive, which provides blankets to homeless children.. Finally, the students packed toiletry bags as donations to the Huck House.

By midnight, everyone was exhausted and ready for bed. Giving the students a sense of what homelessness can be like, the sleep-out was a productive way to foster community awareness through service. After the busy night, students awakened to the school’s annual Service Day. 

Due to the Sleep-out’s success, this event may be on its way to becoming an Academy tradition.