Elizabeth Forward High School
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
A small smile that formed on the face of a little girl or boy after having a book read to them. A look of gratitude from a cancer survivor, or a family member of one who has lost their battle, at Relay for Life. A single tear of joy from the face of a mother who just received a Thanksgiving meal for her family. These are all very different expressions, but they all say the same thing when words are simply not enough: “thank you.” Growing up, I not only learned the importance of giving back to my community, but how service impacts the lives of others and how it has come to change mine.
The anecdotes I began this essay with are all reactions I have witnessed while volunteering in community activities. These are the moments that remind me why I love to serve others. When I reflect on my experiences, I realize how much of my life has been, and is, dedicated to service. Knowing that I can sacrifice a small part of myself to change the life of someone else means the world to me. Through my involvement in volunteerism, children in my community are given the opportunity to develop a love for reading while they heighten their literacy skills at programs at the student-built Lil’ Warrior Book Nook. Through my involvement in volunteerism, those involved with cancer know they do not stand alone in the fight for the cure, and no family in the Elizabeth Forward community will be deprived of the opportunity to gather with family and reflect at Thanksgiving dinner. Through volunteerism, I have worked to unify my community throughout each of the aforementioned projects. The Lil’ Warrior Book Nook allows students to mentor children, Relay for Life is a nationwide effort to beat cancer, and with Pass the Turkey, I have raised approximately $20,000 to provide families a meal. I am fortunate enough to be blessed with many gifts that others do not have. Volunteering is a way to share these gifts and allow the light inside of others to shine through. It is a way to exemplify the Christian moral traditions I strive to live by while simultaneously discovering who I am as a person. Service is an honor and a privilege that I do not take for granted. For these reasons, and more, service has become a part of who I am.
Moving forth into higher education, it is the lessons learned through volunteerism that will help me persevere through difficulty and excel in strenuous times. The myriad of initiatives I have partaken in have enriched my life and my understanding of those around me. As I become a young adult, I know people will tell me that I cannot make a difference because I am just one person. However, even at such a young age, I have learned that, no matter how small it is, any act of service can make the world a better place.