I am from a small, tight-knit community and I wouldn't change it for the world! I love being able to walk around town and say hi to all the different people I know. I am quick to volunteer at all sorts of events wether it be with the high school, church, or the community. I am a part of NHS in my school where I am a part of helping at the local food shelf, bringing sack lunches for kids of low income, and putting in extra effort to make the community a better place. My favorite place to help out is through my church's youth group program. I teach kindergarten and first grade class every other week. It is so empowering to be bringing beautiful, encouraging lessons to little kids who are so intrigued with new information. I look forward to my night to teach every week because I get to develop new relationships with the future generations of my small town and teach them important life lessons they will remember for their entire lives. I always am willing to accept a challenge or task that may put myself out of my comfort zone. I strive to show, not just say, that the community only grows stronger when the effort and time is put into helping those less fortunate. There is something so motivating about making a difference in someone else's life. I thrive on making someone's day or being that person to smile at someone I may not personally know. Making connections and building relationships with community members is extremely important to me. I believe that having these connections is what starts the process of a better community. Wether a person is older or younger than me I still take the time to get to know them and enjoy their company. I love going to my church, seeing all the ladies that are my grandma's age that I have formed a bond with, and being able to talk to any of them about their struggles and my own. Teaching swimming lessons is one of the best parts of my summers. I get to meet nearly 50 new kids and continue to teach another 100 kids throughout the course of the summer. When lessons are over for the year I am always sad to see the kids I have grown to know leave. It is exciting to see them in the hallways during the next school year when they are calling my name or asking for a hug because of all the effort that was put in to building more than just a teacher/student relationship. These kids feel heard and understood when their stories and struggles are listened to. I believe this is a superb way to build up the future of my community and ensure that the next generations will carry on the tradition of giving back.