People Inspire People by Alysson

People Inspire People by Alysson - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

Throughout high school, I was super involved with my church and youth group. Every weekend many people in the community came to volunteer in each of the different ministries the church offered, from infants to high schoolers. As I regularly attended my youth group every Sunday afternoon, I began to realize how grateful I was for the leaders we had. They gave up their Sunday’s to be there for me and other high schoolers in my community. They even reached out to us during the week sometimes and wanted to get to know us on a deeper level; they cared for us. Seeing this in my youth group inspired me to be a volunteer leader in one of the younger aged ministries at my church.
During my Sophomore year of high school, I started to volunteer for the fourth and fifth graders for one service every Sunday morning. I wanted to build up and encourage the younger generation. I wanted to be there for the kids like the leaders in my youth group were there for me. Working with them and getting to know them more every Sunday made them feel important and made me feel like I was making an impact in their lives. Even if the message did not stick in their minds, I knew they would remember the fun times we would have together and with the other kids. I volunteered with this ministry up until I left for college at the end of August 2016 and still come back to visit when I can.
As I reflect on the time I volunteered there, not only did I help make a difference in the kids, but the community of kids and other leaders impacted my life as well. I felt appreciated and known within my leadership team. The adult leaders were interested in my high school life and are still interested in knowing how college is going. Volunteering for fourth and fifth graders opened me up to the simple joy and fun they can find in anything they do. Whether it is arts and crafts or games, the kids taught me how to enjoy the time we had with each other. This volunteer opportunity also grew me as a leader in my community. I was a small group leader for fourth and fifth graders on Sunday mornings, and I was a leader of a club I ran in high school on Wednesday mornings. I grew in my skills as a leader and my heart for people.
Overall, seeing people serve in my community inspired me to serve and make a difference in our community. Volunteering opens your heart to love more and to be a part of people’s lives around you.