During my high school career, I have consistently been involved in my church’s youth group and children’s ministry, volunteering as a Sunday School teacher throughout the year as well as volunteering for once-a-year events such as Vacation Bible School and Fall Festival. I also have been very active in my High School Band program, spending many extra hours to pitch in and help that program be a success, whether it is summer leadership preparations, fall marching band competitions, or fundraisers such as the Marching Band Classic. I believe my past experience has taught me that no matter what I am involved in, there are always opportunities to serve others. There are always people behind the scenes putting in extra hours in order to make a program successful and provide opportunities for others to participate and be a part of a community. While being a leader may get more attention and may seem more “important,” a leader cannot be successful without the help and commitment of many other people who are also serving and taking care of their duties and responsibilities. Most often, it is all the people doing the lesser roles who help a program in a community be successful. I have learned that it is very important to plug myself in to some of these “little” roles throughout the year and stay involved in my church and community. Serving in a weekly role is important because it builds consistency and helps me feel connected to my church. I know it makes a difference in the kids’ lives as well as they get to know me and understand that they can count on me to show up every week. As relationships grow, the children become more willing to talk about themselves and share things that may be bothering them or talk about things that are important to them. These are important connections for kids to make with adults they can trust. Staying involved in my school and youth group has also been important. It has provided me with opportunities to build friendships that have spanned all four years. Being willing to step up and serve has also provided those random opportunities to serve with food collections, serving in a food ministry, helping out with theater set-building, or being a student club representative to talk with incoming freshman and help them become more familiar with the opportunities available to them during high school. Getting my EMT certification and then my paramedic license will allow me even more opportunities to serve others both through employment and volunteer opportunities. I think it is important for people to realize that serving in small ways is important. Be willing to volunteer for one day, even if you can’t volunteer long-term. Find something you like and want to be involved in and then look for ways to contribute a little more to that cause. Get involved with the kids in your town. Volunteer at your schools or in youth sports. The time you spend with children makes a lasting impression on them and helps them grow up in a better community. Volunteering helps you get outside your own small sphere and opens your world up to a bigger place and new experiences.