Public Service
At Empire, we believe compassion is a crucial part of citizenship. Empathy is born out of compassion, and empathy drives citizens to care about those who are marginalized, seek to understand the perspective of someone whose background is dissimilar, and engage in acts of public service to improve the world we share.
Compassion toward others is also a core tenet of the legal profession. Most states require attorneys to complete pro bono service, with Empire’s state of incorporation (New York) requiring a Bar candidate to perform 50 hours of pro bono service in order to practice law.
In 2017, we added a public service project to Empire’s programs, which takes place prior to the competition. The organization and our students partner with a local nonprofit by providing a few hours of volunteer service. Through these projects, we hope to cultivate in our students the compassion essential to meaningful citizenship.
“Giving back to Empire, and especially the community that held it, seemed as natural as going to the competition itself. Walking through Central Park and making it a little more beautiful for someone else is something I’ll never forget.”
Neely Ayers
Central High School, Martinsburg, PA
Click through the gallery of photos below to see our students giving back during past season’s public service projects.
