Summer is upon us once again. Pretty soon, schools will shut down and students will be free to lounge poolside and sleep until noon, at least until fall rolls around.

But for one group of Glenelg Country School students, the school year isn't quite over yet-- even though their last day of classes was May 30.

Carolyn Savoldelli, 16, and Kristie Khatibi, 16, both juniors this year, are heading down to Meridian, Miss., with a group of eight fellow students and two chaperones to help build houses as part of Habitat For Humanity's Collegiate Challenge.

The students are participating to complete their community action project, something that is required of all juniors at GCS.

The year-round, alternative break program they will partake in is geared toward young adults and allows them to spend a week helping construct houses, in a fight to eliminate substandard housing, and largely to stress the importance of community service, according to the Collegiate Challenge's Web site.

Carolyn was inspired to participate after seeing a presentation in 10th grade that a GCS alum made about her experiences with the Collegiate Challenge.

The group will be helping rebuild in the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged area June 15-21.

"In the past (few) years since Hurricane Katrina, the media has sort of forgotten about it. The problem is still there," Kristie said.

Carolyn agrees with her friend, adding that although the hurricane is seen as "old news" now, there is still much to be done.

"I wanted to address it," she said of the problems that continue to exist in the Gulf Coast area.

Carolyn's father, Mauro, will act as a chaperone on the trip. This is especially helpful because Mauro Savoldelli is a civil engineer and will be an asset in terms of the construction process.

For these students, this volunteer mission is more than just a school project.

"I don't really have a specific goal for going other than just helping," Carolyn said.

To help their efforts, e-mail carolyns@glenelg.org or kristiek@glenelg.org.

Startalk, a program aimed at increasing the number of Americans learning critical need languages, is offering high school students the opportunity to learn Arabic or Mandarin Chinese and earn college credits tuition-free at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia.

Classes are held Monday-Thursday, June 23-Aug. 7, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

For more information, call world language professor Cheryl Berman at 410-772-4861; the Office of Admissions and Advising, 410-772-4599; or go to www.howardcc.edu.

School Days will return in the fall for the 2008-2009 school year. Please continue sending any school-related notices to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564.

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