Making a Difference by Thomas

Making a Difference by Thomas - November 2019 Scholarship Essay

Many young people see volunteering as a box to check off on their college application, a kind of drive-thru, quick service, one-stop-shop to feeling like they made a difference without making any real commitment to improving the lives of others. I too have dabbled with these kinds of one and done events, volunteering through NHS and Key Club doing everything from assisting kids making kites, watching elementary school students in aftercare, preparing meals at the local church to feed the hungry to running a senior prom at a nursing home. I have painted lockers at an inner-city school while attending the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation Leadership Seminar. I have run tutoring sessions, assisting students who are struggling academically, coordinating all other tutors giving more hours than any other student at my school. I participated in our annual Mr. West Night competition, raising funds for Students Helping Students. Like many others, I have been an active member of numerous clubs that provide service to those in need, but, the area where I feel most compelled to help, is through politics and through student governance.
Early on, I became captivated by serving others. I became one of only fourteen students selected to serve through my school’s class council. In 9th grade, I sought out a unique experience and was accepted as an intern with a state representative. At fourteen, I volunteered once a week, for two hours, in her office alongside college students, learning numerous aspects of local government. I researched house bills and presented on topics such as healthcare policy while reviewing videos on issues such as fracking. I helped around the office wherever needed, compiling databases and working on special research projects. I was also selected to attend The Ronald Reagan Leadership program in California focusing on leadership development and community involvement. We worked on an action plan to make positive changes in our community, my focus was on recycling efforts in my school. I had applied to another program that summer too, S.L.i.P.P. (Student Learning in Public Policy) at the Valley Forge Military Academy where I learned a lot about leadership qualities and politics during my stay on campus.
To me the ultimate way to impact those in my community became clear. With pure intentions, I ran for Class President and was fortunate enough to be elected to serve my class of 500 students for both my 11th and 12th-grade years. As President, I have served my classmates in efforts too numerous to mention here but some of the more significant being sitting on a district-wide comprehensive planning committee to improve our school environment and running events that benefit my entire school. Since I strongly believe in politics, I also have been working on a student-voter registration drive. As a peer leader, I received a certificate of commendation from the Anti-Defamation League for demonstrating a commitment to working towards eliminating prejudice and discrimination and challenging bullying and name-calling. I have also received the Frederick Douglass Award for my "Passion for Justice". I believe that all citizens should serve others in some capacity and I feel that my contributions thus far support this notion.
As I move on to my next chapter of my life, I know that I will continue that mission. I look forward to participating in outreach as a nursing student, perhaps volunteering at any of the numerous clinics a stone throw from my dorm or maybe as a student body president or as a potential resident assistant. I look forward to being an active student on campus, not someone living a self-absorbed life, turning a blind eye to those in need. I plan on making a difference, on being a game-changer and on being active in efforts that improve the public good.