Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
What has volunteerism meant to me? When I volunteer, each experience is completely different and rewarding. It awakens my heart by giving back to local communities and making a difference in the world around me. The feeling when someone smiles because of something you did is so rewarding. Albert Einstein once quoted “Only a life lived for others is worth living”. This quote has stuck by me throughout my life thus far. I believe each person is a servant of God and it is his will to serve others. Volunteering should not be for money or recognition, it should be done to help a person and to be a light in someone’s life.
Volunteering has affected and has impacted my life in a positive way. I have become a better member of society, a better version of myself and stepped out of my comfort zone. I have met people from all different walks of life. Vacation Bible School is my favorite place to volunteer by far. I truly enjoy being a leader and teaching children about God in fun ways. It is a very empowering experience. At the church flea market, I love seeing how excited and grateful people are to find treasures that to certain people would mean nothing at all, but to them means everything.
Going forward, my call to service will not be over. This fall, I will be attending college and would like to study abroad. While I am in a different country, it is my priority to properly educate children and adults about medicine. This will give me a whole new outlook on life because I will be fully immersed in their community. It is a great way to interact with locals and learn about their cultures and traditions. After college, I would still like to take the time to volunteer by helping families in need, continue to educate others and most importantly provide comfort and support to patients and their families.
In conclusion, I would like to say how much joy volunteering has given me. I have gained a completely different perspective on life. Volunteering has taught me that each day we have the power to influence others in a positive way, even with a simple smile or hello. Mandy Hale said ‘To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful or perfect. You just have to care’.