Oakland Catholic High School
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
For the past three years, and continuing this winter, I have been a part of the Saint Sebastian Parish Youth Ministry’s annual musical. The musical is put on by high school students in the Pittsburgh area; we dedicate our time from early December to late March, rehearsing lines and musical numbers to present onstage throughout four shows. With the help of our dedicated adult directors and volunteers, we raise money through audience donations for two causes supported by the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. In total, the musical has raised over $300,000 to support the Project Hope Mission in David, Kentucky, and mission in Chimbote, Peru. One hundred percent of the collected donations from the show go to our charities.
In David, Kentucky, the money is sent down with a group of church volunteers who use the funds to repairs homes and community buildings in the region. Often, residents in the area don’t have access to the resources required to complete home projects, such as fixing a leaky roof, so our donations help to bring them the supplies and manpower they need. In Chimbote, our donation translates into operating funds for the Maternidad de Maria maternity hospital. Ultimately, it means that more than 100 babies are born each year with support from Saint Sebastian’s Youth Ministry.
In total, I have dedicated 500 hours in four years to improve the living situation of people in Chimbote and David. My time volunteering with the Saint Sebastian Youth Ministry musical is the most rewarding volunteering experience I have had thus far. Not only have the teenagers in the cast become my friends, but they have also become my family. The opportunity to work together towards a meaningful goal has bonded us together forever. On the surface, the musical has taught me to sing and dance, but as I reflect on the countless hours we have spent fundraising, rehearsing, and performing, I realize that the musical has taught me how to care about a cause that is greater than my immediate surroundings. Our work in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has reached across continents to have a direct impact on the lives of mothers and children in Chimbote, Peru. So often, we are able to recognize the problems that face our community but are at a loss with how to solve them. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the world’s grief, but I have learned that our actions right here in Pittsburgh are instrumental in improving the lives of others across the world. Through this experience, I have learned the power of inspiring myself, my local community, and people across the world to get involved and give to the less fortunate. I realize the impact of my actions and feel empowered to continue working to strengthen my community in college and beyond. The Saint Sebastian Youth Ministry musical has provided an incredible and unique opportunity for me to serve my community and make a tangible difference in the world, and for that, I am eternally grateful.