(Courtesy/ Lila P.)

Members of the Academy community gathered at Lynd’s Fruit Farm from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 27, for the school’s annual apple picking event. Organized by Service Board, the event brought students and families together to collect apples for donation to local food pantries throughout Columbus.

Each year, Service Board organizes the event as an opportunity for the Viking community to give back while enjoying a fall tradition. This event also serves as a bonding opportunity for the seniors and their kindergarten buddies, allowing the younger kids to learn about service while spending time outside of school with their older buddies. 

This year, the event received an impressive 2,150 pounds of apples, surpassing last year’s record by 610 pounds, approximately a 40% increase. “It’s exciting to see our community come together and surpass last year’s record,” said senior Noor A., who has been attending the event since she was a kindergartener. “This event was especially important to me because it gave me a rare chance to spend time with my buddy during our busy fall schedules,” she said.

Beyond setting a new record, the event highlights the importance of making service accessible to students of all ages. Whether participating with friends, family members, or kindergarten buddies, everyone has the opportunity to contribute to a larger community effort. The event also reflects Service Board’s ongoing mission to encourage student involvement in Service initiatives both on and off campus.