Greater Latrobe Senior High School
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
Volunteerism can range from a simple act like helping out a friend, to a huge endeavor like going to third world countries to build houses. Volunteerism can impact hundreds of people or change the live of one individual. While there are indisputable “feel-good” benefits for a volunteer, to me, volunteering is all about making a difference for someone else. In my life, there have been a few volunteering experiences that stand out to me as representative of how volunteerism has impacted my life and the lives of others.
First, during my junior year, I worked with a group of students as a member of the Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy to put together a “carnival” to raise money for our local fire department. I took a leadership role as the chairman of the Logistics committee which committed me to hours of working with other committees and school administration to make sure the event went smoothly. In the end, the Leader Academy donated $1019.75 to the fire department. Apart from this donation to a deserving group, getting to see students, who I might not have interacted with otherwise, have a good time made me appreciate the time and work that went into the event.
Unfortunately, I started tutoring two students in algebra this year. I say unfortunately because I wish I started tutoring earlier in my life. Being someone who is gifted in school, it felt right to help a struggling neighbor who asked for help. Soon after, I agreed to tutor another student because a teacher was looking for assistance. By lending my skills and a few hours a week, I was able to see the impact I made in the form of improved test scores and a letter of appreciation from the parents.
The next instance is special to because it came full circle for me in the sense that I was once in the position of the kids I helped. As a 9 year old, I went to my first basketball camp, coached by the varsity basketball team players. I remember looking up to them as I hoped to be on the varsity team some day. In ninth grade, I found myself in the position of a camp counselor. In this role, I got to work with two groups of younger kids for a week trying to help them become better at the sport that we all loved. Knowing how I felt attending the camp really motivated me to give the extra effort to give the best experience possible.
Going forward, volunteering will continue to round me out as a person. There will be plenty of opportunities where someone lacks the time, resources, or skills to accomplish something important to them. If I can change one persons life by teaching, or just make a group of people have a good day, I know that whatever it takes on my end is worth it. After all, volunteerism makes the world go round when money does not.