Giving 101-Volunteerism for High School Students by Erin

Giving 101-Volunteerism for High School Students by Erin - August 2015 Scholarship Essay

All across the United States, teenagers type and swipe their fingers a mile a minute across their smartphone screens. Ask them the words to the National Anthem and they probably could not tell you, but they will be able to give you the names of the Kardashians, their ages, and what kind of cars they drive. Teenagers and many people today in general, have skewed priorities. If I could choose any class for high schools across the country, I would choose Giving 101: Lessons on Giving Back in the Community.

I realize many high schools are starting to require students to do volunteer service as a necessary component before graduation; I think this is wonderful. Volunteering and other service projects can teach students many important life skills. Most importantly, giving back teaches people to be thankful for the things they have. I know not all high school students have the feeling they are “entitled,” but it is so common in many students and teenagers I see. They want everything but give nothing in return. Volunteering is beneficial for anybody. Giving back to the community gives people a sense of worth and appreciation for the things they have. When I began volunteering in the church nursery in eighth grade, I felt important, like I was a part of a team. Because of the work I did with the other people in the church nursery, parents could go worship, attend Sunday school, and have a break from their babies and toddlers. Even though I did not have a lot growing up, sometimes we had visitors from the local homeless shelter and they were so thankful to have a safe place to leave their children for a few hours. As I experienced my own homelessness at the end of my senior year in high school, I continued to volunteer at a local nursing home because it was my escape from reality. It was something I truly enjoyed and I realized at least I still had my freedom and my health. We had young clients who were wheelchair bound; at least I could walk, go wherever I wanted whenever I wanted to, and I had the opportunity for education unlike a lot of the older residents at the nursing home.

Volunteerism teaches applicable skills that teenagers can use in the future. Often, volunteer programs require an interview to see if the person is a good fit for the position. Even if a teenager is not old enough to get a paying job, he or she will need to be familiar with the interview process. Agencies, shelters, and other places where people volunteer often have dress codes and codes of conduct, just like an employer. It is good for teenage volunteers to become familiar with these aspects that are similar to things they will see when they apply and interview for jobs in the future.

Finally, volunteering gives students an opportunity to learn about something they may not otherwise experience, leading to new interests and possibly a potential career choice. I began volunteering in nursing homes during my junior year of high school because of the National Honor Society. We visited a local nursing home as a group, a facility my uncle was in a few years prior. I vowed I would never enter the facility again after I saw the way the residents lived, but I am so happy I gave it another chance. The day we went as a group with our faculty advisors, we made cookies and reminisced with the residents. Something inside me clicked that day; it was like something told me I found my niche. Today, I work at an adult day center; I love my job and my elderly clients. Students who are required to volunteer for school credit may have the same success I did. The beauty of volunteerism is there is something for everyone. For example, student athletes may enjoy teaching underprivileged children how to play a sport after school. High schools should network with area groups and agencies who are interested in having student volunteers; then the schools can help connect students to potential volunteer sites.

I always feel happiest when I am volunteering, giving back to the communities of people who have helped me along the way. I learned how to talk to people professionally, conquered my shyness, and found my dream career. I love sharing my passion for volunteerism with others, especially younger people, and I hope that I lead by example for them. Volunteering helped me in many aspects of my life, and I want the same for high school students for generations to come.