Finding Joy in Recognizing Others' Service by Alicia

Finding Joy in Recognizing Others' Service by Alicia - August 2021 Scholarship Essay

I learned early in life that volunteering can make a difference. Sometimes that difference is for many, but sometimes it is for just one person. But to that one person, it can mean everything.

During my senior year of high school, I served as the Pride and Patriotism Committee Chair for my school’s Student Council. When I applied for this position, I had one goal in mind: to make everyone on campus feel included and recognized for their contributions to our community. While serving on the council, I noticed that one particular faculty member was often overlooked, and he served as one of the most vital roles for our school: security.
I approached this gentleman and spent some time getting to know him. I found out that he loved our school and attended every sporting event he could manage. I was astounded to hear the stories of service that he had provided while working on our campus, but he did not feel recognized, or even noticed, by the students for all he did for the student body.
Hearing this was hard to hear. He was such a nice man who did so much for others. I believe everyone should be recognized for their acts of service. I proposed to the council that we honor this individual by purchasing him a personalized letterman jacket. It would be a small yet meaningful way to include him in our community and honor his support of our students and his efforts to ensure the safety of everyone.
Starting the first week of school, the council organized and worked many fundraisers, ranging from bake sales, to car washes, to selling concessions at the varsity football games. After weeks of staying after school to host these events, we had made enough money to cover the cost of the jacket and just enough to add some patches to the sleeves. We had missed the deadline to order, so I contacted our school’s representative from the letterman company. Thankfully, she was able to pull some strings to add the jacket to the order.
The jacket was delivered before the end of the fall semester, just when it gets chilly in Texas. We held a special Student Council meeting that we invited our security officer to attend. We decorated our room like a winter wonderland, with a Christmas tree and a single, beautifully wrapped gift.
I gave a short speech honoring our guest, explaining what the council had been up to for the last five months. My committee joined me on the stage and invited our security guard to join us. He was a little quizzical when we gave him his gift. Upon opening it, he was so excited and immediately put it on, stating he felt like he was a part of the pack. He gave a speech telling the council everything he had told me. He could not stop thanking us for the gift, and was surprised we were able to get his measurements secretly.
Since then, I have seen him wearing the jacket to every football and basketball game, even in the Texas heat! He is so proud of his jacket, and I know he feels our gratitude and appreciation.
Our friend received the gift, and the recognition he deserves. But I received an even greater gift; the joy that comes with doing something kind for another person.