Freeport Senior High School
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
Running through the woods for high school cross country is thrilling. I am enveloped by the ethereal beauty of the sun shining through spiny limbs of the trees, whirling wind, and wispy petals of wildflowers. Unfortunately, I also encounter fallen trees, ankle-twisting holes, and buzzing nests full of angry insects. I could not run on trails without the frequent work of the volunteers who clear these hazards. This is one of the innumerable ways that volunteers have paved the path for me to pursue my many passions through public school and our community. All of the activities I participate in utilize volunteers. Volunteerism, a duty of all people, is an outlet to support others while improving oneself, and I will be positively impacted by it throughout my life.
In A.P. Biology, I studied cellular respiration and photosynthesis, which aid in illustrating what volunteerism means to me. In cellular respiration, animals convert oxygen into carbon dioxide. In photosynthesis, plants use carbon dioxide to produce oxygen for animals. Both are essential to all life, like volunteerism is essential a fruitful society.
We, as individuals, give service to our community, because we have been able to prosper within it. Volunteerism is a pressing moral obligations; all people have benefitted from volunteerism. From shaping the minds of our youths to providing assistance to the elderly, volunteers help us to do things that we would not be able to do by ourselves.
Volunteerism leads to the betterment of the community and to the betterment of the contributors. When I volunteer, I improve my leadership and social skills, such as when I watch the middle school students backstage at their concerts. I am expected to figure out creative ways to channel their energy, such as engaging them in music warm-ups. Through peer tutoring, I improve my communication skills by explaining difficult concepts. When I detect that my peer is feeling frustrated, I am sure to be patient and encouraging to help her solve the problem. My leadership as a volunteer helped in my role as section leader in marching band and the president of Tri-M and chorus.
Countless experiences have shown me the obvious benefits of volunteerism, so I will continue to wholeheartedly contribute. My life has been affected by my passion for music and provides something extra to share. I use my musical knowledge to help my community by teaching songs at Vacation Bible School, cantoring at several churches, collecting donations by caroling and giving the funds to individuals in crisis, and more. My future is guaranteed to hold opportunities to use my musical skills; but i have always contributed in other ways as well! I will stay alert for any opportunity to help others. Service is especially meaningful when you are able to help without being asked.
Like branches that connect leaves to one another, volunteerism connects individuals of society and empowers us to grow as a fruitful community. When volunteering, I feel more connected my community, and when it grows, I grow.