LAFAYETTE, La. — Students at St. Thomas More Catholic High School stepped out of the classroom and into the community Tuesday, trading textbooks for volunteer work across Acadiana.

Upperclassmen visited 25 different nonprofits, churches and parks, ready to help with whatever each site needed.

"I have a new look on things cause I get to get out of the classroom for a day and help serve," said Emelise Lalonde, a student.

At St. John's Cathedral, students made goodie bags for children to receive at Christmas and folded confirmation booklets. Other students worked on gardening projects.

"So we got to come out here and serve, and I think the boys did some gardening. I got to help make goody bags for the kids that they are gonna give out on Christmas, and then we got to fold booklets for con

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