Around Annapolis: St. Mary's School students 'focus on service'

The small group of St. Mary's students did everything short of galloping across stage on horseback to encourage their peers to volunteer at Maryland Therapeutic Riding.

Others used a mock fight over the last slice of pizza or "rapped" tunes of an SPCA list of animals available for adoption to convey their message.

As part of the new Faith in Action program, eighth graders at the parochial school on Duke of Gloucester Street had to log at least 10 hours of community service during the school year. They also maintained a Web site, did research, and wrote reflective essays about their experiences.

On May 12,...