For the students at Career Institute South, community service has long been more than just a concept—it is part of their ethos.
“We are not just teaching them career skills. We’re teaching them the importance of citizenship,” said Adrienne Thomas Jones, director of CIS. “Their dedication to giving back to their community, whether it’s cleaning up around our campus or elsewhere, truly embodies the spirit of CIS.”
In recognition of their efforts, the City of Dallas recently installed an “Adopt-A-Spot” marker at CIS campus. An official token of the students’ commitment to keeping Dallas beautiful, it showcases the students’ long-term commitment to maintaining campus grounds.
“It’s satisfying knowing that I did something for the community and got something in return,” said Gabriel H., an 11th-grader CIS.
Sharon Veal, a computer science teacher at CIS, reflected on the journey that had led to this momentous occasion.
“I’ve always believed in the power of service,” she said. “Seeing the students’ initial skepticism turn into pride and fulfillment as they embraced community cleanup efforts has been truly inspiring.”
Through their ongoing efforts, students of CIS students are not only learning valuable skills for their future careers, but also cultivating a sense of pride, responsibility, and service that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
As the Adopt-A-Spot sign now stands proudly in place, it serves as a tangible reminder of the students’ ongoing commitment to making a positive difference in their community.