Growing Up While Giving Back by Tegan

Growing Up While Giving Back by Tegan - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

Growing up, I have always been taught to give back. I regularly volunteered in my church and community. The church I grew up in, Rock City, has always been involved in the city of Columbus. I remember participating in “Laundry Love'' and multiple backpack and shoe drives through my church. My job at both of these events was to do face paint for the children. It always brought a smile to my face whenever I was able to bring a smile to a child’s face. Columbus holds a special place in my heart and I love to give back to the city and its residents in any way I can.

More recently, I have had two opportunities that have made a lasting impact on me. Firstly, I had the privilege of participating in giving back to the local diaper bank in my community. When I volunteered here, I wrapped diapers into plastic bundles to distribute. At one point I was wrapping preemie baby diapers. This was the point for me when I felt the most touched. My small contribution made the world of a difference for somebody out there. I couldn’t even imagine having to go through the hardships of having a preemie, much less not having the means to provide diapers for the baby. This made me realize the magnitude of the impact that I had on the community.

Secondly, this past year I created a Girls in STEM club at my middle school. At my school, there are not many opportunities to be a leader in the scientific realm. However, I had a strong desire within me to help take charge and not only alter my future, but also the future of others. I wanted to help cultivate young girls' curiosity for the STEM fields. The goal of the club was to inspire girls and help them find their passions, encouraging more female leadership and representation within a male-dominated field through engaging scientific activities. I feel as though my club has succeeded in helping the current students at my middle school focus on specific aspects within the STEM fields that they are interested in. Furthermore, although the academic aspect of the club was crucial, I consider the connections I have made with the girls just as important, if not more. The girls now look at me as a role model and they come to me for help and advice about school, science, and life as a whole.

Mentoring these girls, all while fostering a growth of love science just as much as I do, brought a new understanding of science to the forefront of my mind: Science not only can teach me new things about myself and the world, it can also create unbreakable bonds, as young women with similar interests come together and explore their passions.

Being involved in the community is an important aspect of my life. I hope to continue these traditions as I venture off to college next year.