I’m a junior in high school, and since I started volunteering my freshman year of high school, I have earned a little over 270 hours helping children in their physical and educational fields. Volunteering has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life because it has helped me grow as a person while also allowing me to help others. Over the past three years, I have spent my summers, school days, and weekends helping children at Riverside Elementary School, where I worked with children and helped teachers with different activities like reading and writing, art or soccer.  

I remember the day when I finally got to meet the kids I’d be helping and how nervous they were at first, but with some help and encouragement, I got them to warm up to me. We have engaged so much more that they even started calling me my nickname “Ale” or sometimes “Teacher Ale” when they see me.  

I realized that this volunteering experience became so much more personal to me and ignited my passion to pursue childcare. It just goes to show how many different opportunities volunteering can hold. You may even find a hidden career you’d never know you’d want. The more time I spent helping others, the more I understood how important kindness, patience, and support can be in someone’s life. 

Another thing I learned from volunteering is that the best kind of service comes from feeling genuine empathy instead of just doing it because it is required. While many students volunteer for college applications or school requirements, I believe volunteering means more when someone truly cares about making a difference.  

Sometimes helping a student with a reading assignment or reading a new book together, listening to them talk about how much they enjoyed the book, or simply being able to share their weekend with me made them smile and become more comfortable. Seeing their reactions made me realize that volunteering is not just about earning hours; it is about helping people feel supported and cared for. 

     Even if volunteering gave no benefit to college applications, I would still continue doing it because of the impact it has had on me personally. Many of the people I met through my volunteering have become long term friends.  

It has taught me responsibility, communication, and patience in ways that a classroom cannot. Spending time with children every summer at Curtis Park helped me become more confident and comfortable working with different people. I also realized that helping others gives me a sense of accomplishment that is hard to explain. At the end of every volunteer day, I felt proud knowing that I used my time to do something meaningful. 

I truly believe my service leaves a lasting impact, even if it may seem small. Children remember the people who encourage them and make them feel important. While volunteering at Riverside Elementary School, I noticed that students became more comfortable around me the longer I worked there. Some of them would get excited when they saw me return, and moments like that showed me that simply being present and supportive can make a difference. Even if I may never fully know how much I helped them, I know that making someone feel valued can stay with them for a long time. 

    Volunteering has also changed my perspective on life. Before I started, I did not realize how much people appreciate kindness and attention. Working with children made me more grateful for my own opportunities and taught me to be more understanding and patient with others. It also helped me meet new people and make connections with others who enjoy helping their community. Everyone I met through volunteering shared similar values, which motivated me to continue to go and put myself out there. 

     Although volunteering can sometimes be tiring, it never felt like just another chore to me. I enjoyed returning to the same elementary school because it allowed me to build real relationships with the students and staff. Watching the children grow more comfortable around me each year made the experience even more rewarding.