17 year old Hilary Mumaw is winding down an eventful senior year at Jefferson West High, a year in which she's truly discovered her artistic talents. Led by art teacher Mark Ralston, Hilary has turned out some amazing watercolors and ceramics this year. Sparked by Ralston, she is this year's winner of a $500 scholarship from the Topeka Art Guild.

Hilary plans to continue her art studies at Baker University close to home, with designs on becoming an interior decorator after graduation from college. Very good luck to Hilary.

And now, the heartwarming story from Hayden High, on these Wildcat Good Kids who spent their spring break in Greensburg. Here's an official journey entry from project coordinator Stephanie Noyes:

What started out as a demolition project – turned into a life-altering adventure for 16 high-school teens & 3 chaperones heading to Greensburg, KS for a Spring Break Alternative Service Trip. After a delayed start due to missing keys, empty gas tanks, 3 trips to the emergency room in two days for nail puncture wounds, and 2 near-death experiences EACH for Seminarian for the diocese Nick Blaha and husband Steve Noyes - teacher & Service Program Coordinator for Hayden High School, Stephanie Noyes, was ready to pack-up and head home. “We left our 4 little girls (ages 5 months to 8 years-old) with my newly-retired mother. I thought – ‘It is just not worth it.’ I felt we had used up all of our 9 lives and then some – and felt God was blatantly telling me it was time to throw in the towel and head for home. I hate to fail and hated seeing these kids not get the ‘full’ experience of serving others.” Then, everything changed.

We started off Wednesday with Mass, Rosary, and a blessing from Father for safety on the work-site. We asked our Guardian Angels to watch over us and for protection. “With 3 injured students – I was NOT going to let them go near the clean-up site until the wounds proved infection-free or had fully healed. I asked the mother if I could put them to work in her home doing housework.” As the group leader and students entered the humble abode, the adventure began. There were no mice, or lice, but the animal feces, layers of dust, and piles of unwashed clothes were more than we could stand. Masks and gloves were donned as clean-up efforts began. As anger bubbled in our minds toward the parents, our hearts went out to the special needs 5th grade girl and extremely bright 3rd grade boy who were living in the filth. The children followed the high school students around like puppies seeking attention and eager to help with any and all projects. After a safe day, students that night vented at our team meeting with tears recalling the situation they faced indoors while the rest of the crew worked out-doors. Judging a book by its cover, we were humbled to discover the dad suffered from back surgery and was on disability. The mother suffered from fiber myalsia and neither could bend to do any cleaning. Not only that, the crew chief discovered the parents used all of their food-stamps to feed the high-school students on Monday because they wanted to thank them for coming to help. The damaged home had we were demolishing stood there for many years, and they were trying to clear the area so their children would have a place to play. With all the rebuilding in Greensburg, the demolition site was just not a priority.

Mrs. Noyes interrogated the mother on “needs” and “wants.” When asked if the mother had cleaning supplies or dish soap for the dishes, she responded that those would be “luxuries” not needs. Needs were socks, underwear and food. When trying to vacuum, the team learned the vacuum wasn’t even working. Their only family car was also broken down. When trying to start laundry, the mother stressed over the use of water since she had to take out a loan to pay the water bill. As the girls working inside engaged the children in conversation, they were saddened to hear the responses on how they were made fun of at school and had no friends. Life seemed so unfair.

Students that night made a plan. They decided to forgo their fast-food evening meal and eat whatever was left-over from the 2 previous nights in the parish they were lodging. The money saved from the meal and pooled by the 19 crew members would be used to purchase needed items in the home and gifts for the children. Laundry filling 14 washers was taken to a laundry mat 1 hour away and a trip was made to Walmart.

When all was said and done, at 3:00 pm on Friday – the Hour of Mercy – two 15-passenger vans and a 15 foot Penske moving truck left for home. Students came to take down a house, and walked away building up a family. Cupboards were wiped out and stocked. All floors were vacuumed & mopped. Stained pillows were replaced. Damaged clothes full holes were bought. Laundry was neatly folded and set on the only available storage space - shelves. New bed linens were on every bed. Comforters were added to the kids’ beds. New towels were hung on every rack. A new vacuum, mop, and basket of cleaning supplies were stacked in a corner. The house was spotless and old house torn down and cleared away.

Before leaving, the boys took Noah into his new room while the girls took Naomie into her new room. Each group sat down with the kids and took turns telling them how important they are and how much they love them. Noah received books, a Tonka truck and signed football among other gifts from the boys. Naomie received art supplies, nail polish, girl “stuff” and a pillow hugged and kissed by all her new girl-friends. A final prayer was said with each child.

Tears were shed. Addresses were exchanged. Plans were made for a reunion when the kids come to stay with the Noyes’ for a bit this Summer. Students talked on the way home on how they could continue serving and keep contact with the family and crew leaders they so came to love. If the trip wasn’t delayed, if 3 students didn’t step on nails, if they didn’t give it one more day, they wouldn’t have participated in the plans God was slowly unraveling for them under the cover of “”Spring Break Service Trip” this Lent.