Hempfield Area High School
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
Since I was child, my parents have offered me a wide range of advice that I hold true to myself everyday. While some of this advice includes the standard “ wash your hands before you eat ” and the unconventional “don’t forget to lower the mower deck before you start mowing”, one of the most important lessons instilled in me was to “always remember how you got to where you are and to pay it forward to help others”. With this in mind, I often find myself ‘paying it forward’, as my dad would say, and volunteering in a wide range of community service activities. Ranging anywhere from tutoring children on the clarinet, to volunteering at local food banks, helping others reminds me of those who have helped me when I was in need. To me, volunteering is a way to contribute back to the community that has enabled me to succeed throughout my endeavors. Without others, I would not have the opportunities that I have today. As I continue to pursue volunteer opportunities, I always remember the impact that the help of others had on me, and the potential impact my seemingly small contribution can have on the lives of others.
Regardless of the required volunteer hours required for the various organizations I partake in, volunteerism has molded into an essential component of my life. Seeing the gratitude of those who are impacted by my service is something that cannot be described. It is a sensation that is one of the best feelings of the world knowing that your small act has made an impact on those around you. By engaging in volunteerism, I have a better appreciation for what I have and a yearn to help others attain their goals. This has made a tremendous impact on my life as I have become selfless rather than selfish. In the highly complex world that we live in today, it is easy to forget the importance of aiding others rather than just oneself. By helping others, I am more grounded and grateful for what I do have rather than concerning myself with what I don’t. With my contribution, people are able to flourish and reach their potential. People are also able to reach their goals and succeed in what they wish to. Going forward, I wish to continue to have a similar mind-frame as I pursue a career as an oncologist. I hope to continue to be selfless and help those affected by cancer find a cure to their disease. In the workplace and in my free time, I aspire to continue “paying it forward” and helping others reach and maintain their goals while having a healthy, sustainable life.