Vincentian Academy
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
Throughout my four years of high school, I have volunteered for many different service projects. However, there are two, in particular, that really changed the way I think about others and the world around me. I helped raise money for a school in Uganda and I am a volunteer tutor.
I got involved with raising money for families in Uganda through one of my old gymnastics coaches. He does missionary trips to build houses in Uganda and showed us the people there. One of my friends and I decided try and help and so we organized a “penny war” for all of the gymnasts. Originally, I viewed it as just raising money for people in need, however after doing more research I realized how fortunate I am just to live in a house with running water. Raising this money really humbled me and it meant so much to me that I was able to help others. My coach showed me pictures of some of the kids in Uganda after we raised the money and they looked so happy that we were able to help them. This volunteerism will always have a special place in my heart and it will help me make sure that I never take things for granted in the future.
I started being a volunteer tutor when I was in tenth grade. I tutor one or two kids each school year for an hour a week each. I remember being very nervous on my first day because I was worried that I was not going to be able to help the kids since I was also a student. I was worried they would not respect me. However, once I sat down with the students I realized they were just as nervous as I was and they were just hoping I could help them. Some of the students that I have tutored even had some learning disabilities that I had to help them work through. Sometimes it is difficult to get the students to stay on task and I have found that they get easily discouraged. I try and encourage them as much as possible and explain things the best I can. The best thing is when their face lights up when I am teaching them something and I can tell they finally get it and they are starting to have more confidence in their abilities.
Both of these volunteer opportunities have meant so much to me and I have learned so much from them. I love being able to help those in need and doing something that is greater than myself. My projects have helped me realize how lucky I am to live the way I do and how difficult other people’s lives are. In the future, I am going to keep volunteering for as many projects as I can and will take all of the lessons I’ve learned about myself and others with me in everything that I do.