Interventional Pain Institute - Excellence in Action Scholarship

A time I exemplified the pillar of being hungry—driven, self-motivated, and eager to contribute meaningfully—was during my volunteer work at the Greene County Public Library. I joined the Teen Volunteer Council as a freshman and dedicated over 150 service hours throughout high school, but it was during my final year that I truly stepped into a leadership role and pushed beyond expectations. One of my primary responsibilities was preparing and improving our Teen Takeaway Kits—monthly kits designed to engage local teens through crafts, literacy activities, and STEM-based learning. Initially, I was asked to help assemble and distribute the kits. However, after noticing that many kits were left untouched or returned, I began asking library staff and patrons for feedback. I learned that while the concept was appreciated, some activities didn’t resonate with our teen audience. Rather than stop at observation, I saw this as an opportunity to elevate the program. I proposed redesigning the kits to be more interactive and reflective of teen interests, suggesting additions like creative journaling prompts, DIY mental health activities, and simple but engaging science experiments. I worked directly with the Youth Services Manager to pilot these changes, creating sample kits and coordinating small focus groups with local youth. I also helped design new instructional inserts and curated a list of inclusive, diverse book recommendations that aligned with each month's theme. These changes led to increased engagement with the kits—more teens began signing up for monthly pick-ups, and our summer reading program participation grew. A few teens even returned to volunteer themselves after experiencing the kits firsthand. My hunger to go beyond my assigned duties—to seek feedback, act on it, and build something better—helped turn a well-intentioned project into a more meaningful one. In addition to the kits, I supported youth programming by helping lead storytime and educational activities, often stepping in with little notice when the staff needed backup. I also assisted with community events like talent shows and reading festivals, coordinating with fellow volunteers and helping keep everything organized and welcoming. What began as a simple volunteer role turned into something much greater because I wasn’t satisfied with just doing what was asked. I was eager to learn, to create, and to lead—and that mindset allowed me to make a real impact. My contributions not only strengthened our library’s outreach, but also deepened my connection to service and showed me the importance of always seeking ways to improve the systems and communities I’m part of.