Thomas Jefferson High School
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
Improve yourself, improve the lives of others, improve the world. This is the core of what volunteerism means to me. Volunteering has shaped my high school years: it’s found me new friends, brought me closer to my community, and even developed leadership skills in a once shy and awkward freshman. From 9th grade on, I’ve expanded my love of literature by participating in volunteer activities at the Jefferson Hills Library and helping with community programs at the Pleasant Hills Library through my Interact Club. My experiences at the libraries inspired me to found a book drive at my high school. After conducting some research, I discovered that the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh accepts donations for their book “adoption” program that serves its patients. I decided that donating to the children’s hospital would be a perfect project, as it would support both my community and kids of all ages. I decorated donation boxes, designed flyers, and, with the help of fellow Interact members, cleaned and sorted more books than I had ever hoped to collect! In three weeks alone we collected and donated over 2,000 books, movies, and magazines for the hospital. My initial goal was 500, so the huge piles of donations came as a wonderful surprise. Delivering the donated materials to the hospital and hearing how much the children would enjoy them really showed me just how far kindness and compassion can go. My library volunteering has made an impact on others as well, as it has helped educate children and develop a love for reading and learning in them. Though I was overjoyed with the success and impact of the book drive and library work, I didn’t want to stop there. This year, I took on the role of Treasurer of my school’s Interact Club in order to teach others about the value of volunteerism and to inspire them to take initiative to help make our community a better, more compassionate place. Furthermore, I have been chosen as a teen representative for the Pleasant Hills Library, where I will assist in planning and volunteering this summer’s community activities, which include children’s educational programming and workshops for teens. Also, to expand my knowledge on the world and how today’s youth can take charge to help improve it, I attended the World Affairs Council Summit for Student Leaders as a student delegate through Interact Club to learn about the future of solving global issues such as poverty and gender inequality. That experience opened my eyes and forced me to see the bigger picture beyond my own community. All of my past volunteerism and Interact opportunities will affect me going forward by truly empowering me. For instance, I’ve recently pitched a clothing drive in support of the Vietnam Veterans of America to the Interact Club, and I would never have come up with the idea if it weren’t for my past volunteerism. I’ve learned that every person can make a difference, no matter who you are.