WILLIAMS — Flagstaff High School senior Leavi Mitchell was required to set up a community service event by one of his teachers. With his busy schedule, he decided on providing hot dogs at the Youth and Recreation Center in Williams. He even took to Facebook to advertise. The hot dogs were provided by another teacher at Flagstaff High, Sheri Bain.

Though some expressed suspicion at the date of the event, April 1, it was no joke. We noticed him setting up the barbecue pit and caught his Facebook post later in the day in the Williams Classified Facebook page.

[His teacher] “…asked that me and two others set up an event that would help the community. So I decided to get some hot dogs and get them out to whoever is walking by.”

Leavi and his assistant, Jorge Zavala live in the Parks area.

Leavi explained that in the past students from Flagstaff High have participated in a number of projects. The welding students have built park benches and donated them to the city. Others have painted parking spots. He decided on Friday in Williams because kids have no school on Friday. It is a working day for the parents and this event would help out by providing the kids something to eat at the recreation center.

“I wanted to teach kids,” Leavi said. “So it’s easier to run something when you really have heart into something. What I originally planned was to set up a basketball skills event at Flagstaff at the rec center next to Coconino High School, but that didn’t work out for time.

“I was going to put out fliers to the youth basketball groups, I had to do my research and find out some good drills for that age group. I really ran out of time doing other school events—football, basketball, track.”

Would he like to teach kids in the future? “I wanted to be a councilor—like a psychologist. I’m still debating on that or welding.” He is interested in both subjects.

It’s always smart to keep your options open.