Hannah Pedeferri is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Notre Dame Prep for AZPreps365.com

Notre Dame Prep works to instill in its athletes and students the importance of service toward others and hopes their desire to serve continues beyond graduation from the school.

The school requires students to log 120 hours of service over four years to graduate.

Saints quarterback Noah Trigueros volunteers at his church. 

“I can help out with the little kids and camps,” Trigueros said. “The school really helps us to find opportunities."

Notre Dame has been recognized as a top high school by Catholic Relief Services for its dedication to advancing Catholic social teachings and showing compassion for the poor worldwide.

“It’s always good to serve others,” varsity football head coach George Prelock said. “That means a lot, especially being at a Catholic school. We are about serving and helping those in need.”

Places where students can volunteer include houses of worship and agencies in the community. The service hours also include summer sports camps and school events like open houses.

Students can use MobileServe, an app and a website, to find different volunteer opportunities and to track their hours.

According to the Notre Dame admissions book, students put in 28,970 hours of service in 2019 and 2020.

Athletes at Notre Dame are big participants in the volunteering.

“We’ve worked in conjunction with the Fiesta Bowl multiple times since I’ve been the head coach,” Prelock said. “We run a football camp for underprivileged kids in the Phoenix area at the Boys & Girls Club.”

The school’s athletes also volunteer for organizations including St. Mary’s Food Bank and Feed My Starving Children.

Even when athletes are in their seasons, they continue to volunteer. Many will go beyond the minimum requirements for their hours. 

Trigueros thinks every service opportunity he has participated in has been great in different ways. “You can help kids grow in their faith and get to know God,” Trigueros said. 

But they also help the kids get to know football. 

“It’s cool because they’re [the participants] are always looking up to you.” Trigueros said. “They want to learn and get better.”

Notre Dame students also are offered the chance to participate in mission trips, during which they travel to places where people are in need of help and immerse themselves in service.

According to the school, 146 students and staff took mission trips from 2019 to 2021.

Senior Deacon Shea, a running back on the football team, found another way to give back to the community.

“Usually every other Sunday we’ll make care packages for them [the homeless] with soap, toothbrushes, and sandwiches and then go out and distribute them,” Shea said. 

Being able to inspire young children is something that Trigueros finds gratifying. 

“A big part of it is inspiring little kids,” Trigueros said. “I like to work with them because it is something that they’ll probably remember for a while.”

But the service is good for the older “kids” too.

“I think it’s good for them to see the real world in perspective,” Prelock said.