The Gift of Three by Kevin

The Gift of Three by Kevin - January 2024 Scholarship Essay

The biggest contribution I’ve made in my community may be different in the eyes of others, but if I were to pick one gift I’ve given to my community, it would be the seasonal art camps that I volunteer at. Ever since I joined my high school’s art club, I’ve been involved in every single art camp we’ve hosted for the local children. Although I could only begin participating in my sophomore year due to the pandemic, my time helping the kids create crafts to bring home to their families brought me great joy.

I could never figure out what my passion was whenever I entered high school. Joining the art club helped me figure out what I love to do most: help people. Volunteering became a fun activity for me, and the art camps made me feel even happier seeing the smiles on the children’s faces. I remember the first art camp I attended was a fall-themed craft day. The young kids nervously approached us as they parted from their parents, and I felt a similar fear that I wouldn’t be entertaining enough for the children. The children I oversaw with my friends were named Evelyn, Eleanor, and Koda. Koda reminded me of my little brother, so it was easy to get along with him because he had great enthusiasm and loved to talk. Evelyn, the oldest of the three, was more independent and knew what she wanted, but she loved to help out her little siblings. Eleanor, the quietest, was the more difficult one to get through. She didn’t speak unless she was asked a question and kept to herself for the majority of the day. I helped all three children with their artwork and made sure that they were satisfied with their art. By the end of the day, I was exhausted after standing around for eight hours, but the happy smiles of the three siblings brought me great energy up until the end. I wished them a good evening and hoped to see them again at the winter-themed art camp.

A month and a week had passed, and the holiday art camp came quicker than I expected. I wasn’t expecting Evelyn, Eleanor, and Koda to return, but surprisingly, they walked over to me as if we had met many times before. I felt a major shift in all of their behaviors this time. Eleanor had become more comfortable with me and even talked to me about whatever interested her at the moment. All three siblings chimed in at once, and it was hard to focus on one, but their tone made me feel safe and familiar. When we worked through the crafts together, they reminded me of my siblings. There was a warmth that can only be felt when you help someone dear to you. The art camps are meant for me and my club members to give back to the community, but I walked each time feeling like I received a gift.

Every other time the three siblings came back, they became more and more comfortable and even invited their friends to the art camp. It made me feel happy that I could spread happiness through crafts with three little kids. Though I didn’t invite the other children myself, I felt like I had been a great contributor to spreading joy in the community. Seeing the smiles as the children walk back to their parents made me realize that I’m helping both the children and their families. The children may spend time away from their parents, but they go home telling stories of what they did and showing off their artwork. I may not physically be in their homes, but I know my prominent contribution to my community is growing family bonds through the art camps.