Pack 143
This past weekend I volunteered for the Boy Scouts’ Pack 143, which was in Dublin, Va, forty five minutes away from Blacksburg. Along with a few other volunteers, we showed the Boy Scouts how to build their rocket and then launched them into the air. Nothing is better than seeing the excitement in their eyes and the astonishment as their own rocket was launched into the air. Building and launching rockets for four hours, it was safe to say that the day was a successful and exhausting day, given the fact that we woke up at seven that day.
After experiencing this event, it made me realize how much I miss being a kid. Back in my youth years, I never did anything like this with my family, for they were never around or had much free time to spend with me. My mom was either working or taking a rest from working, and my sisters were never necessarily interested in the things that I wanted to do. The Boy Scouts were carefree and were really interested in how the rockets work and the physics behind it. One of the things that really struck me was as I was teaching a Boy Scout how to build the rocket he examines the rocket with curiosity, stating, “I have never seen a rocket fly before.” An epiphany popped into my head that this is the reason why I volunteer. I love seeing and making people happy, which in turn makes me happy. When I first signed up for this trip, I was not too thrilled about going because I had to wake up early in the morning on a Saturday, and the event was four hours long. Moreover, only three other volunteers signed up for the event. I had to tell myself that this is not about me, that what I feel and think does not matter; this is about the Boy Scouts having an amazing time that they will remember when they look back to memory years from now, that Virginia Tech students made an impact on their lives whether it is small or big.
I have never been a Boy Scout, but I know that they do a lot of service in the community, and I highly respect them for that. They do so much for those in need at such a young age, which is so relevant because it always starts with the youth. We need to start with them if we want to change the world.
Community service has been a huge part of my life. Back at home, I volunteer at my old middle school, helping out children with tutoring whenever I can because I love giving back to the community. In high school, I chose helping in guidance instead of having an off block or early release because they really needed help. I would hand out passes for students to see their guidance counselors or make copies for the front desk; it’s the small things that count and what really makes people’s day. I also volunteer because it really brings people together. For instance, I volunteered for Micah’s Backpack last Thursday with a few students. When we arrived at the church there were about 40 people helping put food items on bags, ready to help feed students who do not get food on the weekends. We made an assembly line, with bags in our hands. Everyone had smiles on their faces and was having a grand time. One of the guys in charge had a trivia book, which he was using to quiz people for a free t-shirt while we were waiting in line. He made the experience even more memorable and fun. At the end of the night, we packed over two hundred bags for the kids (two thousand pounds of food!), a little more than what we needed for all the students. People donate food items every week for the students in need in the New River Valley.
After experiencing this event, it made me realize how much I miss being a kid. Back in my youth years, I never did anything like this with my family, for they were never around or had much free time to spend with me. My mom was either working or taking a rest from working, and my sisters were never necessarily interested in the things that I wanted to do. The Boy Scouts were carefree and were really interested in how the rockets work and the physics behind it. One of the things that really struck me was as I was teaching a Boy Scout how to build the rocket he examines the rocket with curiosity, stating, “I have never seen a rocket fly before.” An epiphany popped into my head that this is the reason why I volunteer. I love seeing and making people happy, which in turn makes me happy. When I first signed up for this trip, I was not too thrilled about going because I had to wake up early in the morning on a Saturday, and the event was four hours long. Moreover, only three other volunteers signed up for the event. I had to tell myself that this is not about me, that what I feel and think does not matter; this is about the Boy Scouts having an amazing time that they will remember when they look back to memory years from now, that Virginia Tech students made an impact on their lives whether it is small or big.
I have never been a Boy Scout, but I know that they do a lot of service in the community, and I highly respect them for that. They do so much for those in need at such a young age, which is so relevant because it always starts with the youth. We need to start with them if we want to change the world.
Community service has been a huge part of my life. Back at home, I volunteer at my old middle school, helping out children with tutoring whenever I can because I love giving back to the community. In high school, I chose helping in guidance instead of having an off block or early release because they really needed help. I would hand out passes for students to see their guidance counselors or make copies for the front desk; it’s the small things that count and what really makes people’s day. I also volunteer because it really brings people together. For instance, I volunteered for Micah’s Backpack last Thursday with a few students. When we arrived at the church there were about 40 people helping put food items on bags, ready to help feed students who do not get food on the weekends. We made an assembly line, with bags in our hands. Everyone had smiles on their faces and was having a grand time. One of the guys in charge had a trivia book, which he was using to quiz people for a free t-shirt while we were waiting in line. He made the experience even more memorable and fun. At the end of the night, we packed over two hundred bags for the kids (two thousand pounds of food!), a little more than what we needed for all the students. People donate food items every week for the students in need in the New River Valley.
"Alive" Essay
I recall a time when I volunteered with middle and elementary school students. I worked with them when I through leadership workshops back home. It is really difficult to explain to someone what workshop is like other than the fact that it changes you. I did multiple ones, and every time I volunteer for one, the impact I have made on the students always makes me feel alive. The smile and happiness that I see on their faces just shines out, and it really warms your heart. The experience that I get always reminds me that it is not about me, that I am doing this not to benefit myself but to benefit the future generation. I want to inspire those who need it the most, those who are afraid to step out of their comfort zone and are shy to try new things. I live by this one quote from one of my advisers, “those who are hard to love, are the ones who need it the most.” This statement is highly significant especially with the younger generation because they are at that time of their life when they are trying to figure out who they are and their purpose is. Although the process to plan a workshop may be tedious and time-consuming, the experience and the knowledge that the students get from it are extraordinary and beneficial. It is definitely worth it at the end.
Moreover, the workshop occurs at a camp far enough to not get phone reception so the kids have no choice but to talk to each other. I like the fact that we get to get away from the real world for a few days and not have to worry about anything, which is something we all need once in a while. I love that I get to interact with children because that is something I do not necessarily get to do since I do not have any younger siblings. I also get to give back to my old middle school for the things that they have done for me. The results are similar for both the middle school and the elementary students: they come in feeling apprehensive and shy but they leave with the longing for more time and with smiles on their faces. It is nice to see the delegates grow in just a couple of days.
Moreover, the workshop occurs at a camp far enough to not get phone reception so the kids have no choice but to talk to each other. I like the fact that we get to get away from the real world for a few days and not have to worry about anything, which is something we all need once in a while. I love that I get to interact with children because that is something I do not necessarily get to do since I do not have any younger siblings. I also get to give back to my old middle school for the things that they have done for me. The results are similar for both the middle school and the elementary students: they come in feeling apprehensive and shy but they leave with the longing for more time and with smiles on their faces. It is nice to see the delegates grow in just a couple of days.
What I Bring To The Table
Being involved with community service throughout my high school career, it really teaches one to be committed about the things that one does. At first, I felt skeptical about the idea of spending my free time helping people when I receive nothing in return; I never got the meaning of “community service” up until I started volunteering for my school’s freshmen orientation program. This orientation lasts a whole day where we give the upcoming freshmen an idea of what high school will be like and to give them a general idea of where their classes might be. After doing this the first summer after my freshmen year, I realized how much of an impact I made on the freshmen and that I would like to participate again the next summer. Working with high school freshmen takes a lot of patience and commitment, which is something that is difficult to find in the summer when you just don’t want to do anything with school.
Besides committing myself to community service, I like informing people about the events that happen in my school, whether it is a football game, a fundraising occurrence, or a volunteer event. Communicating with people was not my cup of tea before high school; I used to keep to myself and not speak to large groups of people because I was really anxious and apprehensive that I might mess up on my words, which still happens till this day. Being the student government’s vice president, it definitely improved my public speaking and how I am more confident in myself when I am socializing with my friends, since it was my job to get the student body more involved in school events.
Moreover, getting along with the student body also plays a major role in serving the community. For instance, in order to get individuals to participate in a service, they have to like the person who is in charge. One cannot have someone who is rude and a nuisance and expect people to follow their lead. Giving people what they want but also getting things done is what make a leader successful. In high school, I loved making new friends and meeting new people; therefore, whenever I was involved with community service, I would get all of my friends to do it with me so that it would be more fun and successful.
Also, one must have the right attitude is essential when working with people. A leader cannot feel pessimistic all the time when things do not go their way; they have to keep their head up and take the situation as a challenge to better them. For instance, if the weather does not permit during a school cleanup, you cannot behave negatively over something that you cannot control; you just have to be optimistic about it and schedule the cleanup another day when the weather will be nice. No one will want to be around something who is constantly brings negative comments, for it also makes other people feel bad. One thing I learned through community service is the there will always be a time when things will not go my way, and that is completely fine. The world is my oyster, and people are just living in it. I like to be positive and hopeful because it makes people feel good about themselves, and no other feeling is better than someone feeling good because of your service.
Besides committing myself to community service, I like informing people about the events that happen in my school, whether it is a football game, a fundraising occurrence, or a volunteer event. Communicating with people was not my cup of tea before high school; I used to keep to myself and not speak to large groups of people because I was really anxious and apprehensive that I might mess up on my words, which still happens till this day. Being the student government’s vice president, it definitely improved my public speaking and how I am more confident in myself when I am socializing with my friends, since it was my job to get the student body more involved in school events.
Moreover, getting along with the student body also plays a major role in serving the community. For instance, in order to get individuals to participate in a service, they have to like the person who is in charge. One cannot have someone who is rude and a nuisance and expect people to follow their lead. Giving people what they want but also getting things done is what make a leader successful. In high school, I loved making new friends and meeting new people; therefore, whenever I was involved with community service, I would get all of my friends to do it with me so that it would be more fun and successful.
Also, one must have the right attitude is essential when working with people. A leader cannot feel pessimistic all the time when things do not go their way; they have to keep their head up and take the situation as a challenge to better them. For instance, if the weather does not permit during a school cleanup, you cannot behave negatively over something that you cannot control; you just have to be optimistic about it and schedule the cleanup another day when the weather will be nice. No one will want to be around something who is constantly brings negative comments, for it also makes other people feel bad. One thing I learned through community service is the there will always be a time when things will not go my way, and that is completely fine. The world is my oyster, and people are just living in it. I like to be positive and hopeful because it makes people feel good about themselves, and no other feeling is better than someone feeling good because of your service.