Student Council and Teen Leadership II experienced “Homeless in Mansfield” Jan. 22 in the parking lot to raise awareness and help prepare the students for their trip to Washington D.C. during Spring Break.

Students brought cardboard boxes, sleeping bags, blankets and the clothes on their backs. Prohibited items were: food, electronics and toiletries.

“I am very excited and pleased at how excited the students were,” Student Council sponsor Dena Schimming said.

Mrs. Schimming wanted them to get the most real experience as possible.

“[It’s] not as cold as I want it to be,” Mrs. Schimming said. “I want them to be miserable.”

Senior Lucy Elston participated and had a great experience throughout this event.

“The ground was hard to sleep on but it wasn’t terrible,” Elston said. “The only thing was that we were hungry but we still had fun.”

According to Elston she would do this again another time if given a second chance. It gave her perspective on how homeless people suffer.

“It made me think about what homeless people have to do to survive and make it out there,” Elston said. “Especially with the stuff they have to deal with daily.”

According to Elston, the trip during Spring Break will be an educational trip and students will do community service while in another area.

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