Wethersfield Heroes: High School Hunger Project With John Sand

Note from the Editor: This is the first in a series called "Wethersfield Heroes," where our students work to highlight and honor those in our community going above and beyond amidst the tumultuous year. If you know someone that you would like to nominate as a Wethersfield Hero, please contact Mr. Martin at [email protected]. ​

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By: Andrew Labbe and Aaron Guay

With our community’s struggles with COVID-19, food is scarce. People are donating less to shelters and restrictions on these shelters are overbearing. This lack of food is where the Hunger Action Team comes in. 

Led by WHS teacher John Sand, the Hunger Action Team is meant to ease the pain of people in need by providing a steady supply of food. You may be asking what the Hunger Team is; we asked John Sand to find out.

When meeting with Mr. Sand, he said that the Hunger Action Team is a WHS program to help people who struggle with food security. “It’s a place where students can come together and package food to bring to local pantries,” according to Mr. Sand. 

When asked about why students would join the hunger action team, he said, “To receive community service hours mostly, or to hang out with their friends who are also on the team.” 

In WHS, community service is not only required for some classes but also increases chances for getting into desired colleges. The Hunger Action Team is a place where students can come together and have fun helping people in need, while also receiving vital community service hours. 

According to Mr. Sand, he leads the Hunger Team because of similar reasons above. When he first asked to lead it, he knew the amount of dedication needed to fill the role. He has to take countless hours out of his busy schedule (between teaching and traveling frequently) to supervise and organize this program. Nonetheless, he dove in headfirst in striving to create the best Hunger Action Team possible. 

Aside from being the leader of the Hunger Action team, Mr. Sand is a student rights advocate. In his words, “The students are what we do this for. If you guys [the students] weren’t here, neither would I.” 

Teachers like John Sand always have student’s best interest in mind. It was this mindset, to strive for more student rights, that made Mr. Sand led the Hunger Action Team.  

With no questions asked, Mr. Sand is an amazing teacher and person. When asking senior Alexander Ginter who is enrolled in two of Mr. Sand’s classes about his opinion on Mr. Sand, he said, “He’s just a great teacher and a great guy. Though his teaching is informal, it is easier to relate to him and create an amazing student-teacher relationship He’s the kind of guy that makes little nicknames for everyone and greets you with that name every time you walk into the room.” 

With his interactive teaching styles, the countless hours he spends outside of school planning for the Hunger Action Team and participating in numerous other school events, there is no debate in saying that Mr. Sand is a blessing to have in the Wethersfield School System. 

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