Grace Gustinis, Masuk High School in Monroe

There are many opportunities for someone to give back to their community and I believe it is our responsibility, as productive members of society, to give back whenever we are able to. 

My motivation to volunteer stems from my personal belief that God wants us to use the talents He has given us, to help benefit others. One of my favorite quotes is “There are two ways of spreading the light…being the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”  

While others may prefer to be the mirror, I prefer to be the candle.

Since I was a young girl, community service became engrained in my life.  Through school and my parents, I was taught the importance of giving back to my community in whatever way I was able to.  I remember saving 1/3 of my allowance to be donated to a charity of my choice and running lemonade stand in my front yard to raise money for childhood cancer when I was six.  

These acts may seem insignificant, but I was taught at a young age that every act of kindness begins to resonate positively through the community that we live in.  Community service to me means investing your time for the people and the community in which you live.  

I began attending a faith-based education setting in middle school and we learned the importance of doing God’s work by helping people in need.  Using the gifts and talents that were given by God to help others became a strong focus in my life.  

At school I became involved in the student council where we coordinated various activities and donated the proceeds to people in need.   Although I am now in high school, the guidance and encouragement that I received during my formative years to help others has become a lifelong desire.  To me, community service is not about building a strong resume, but rather a way of being a productive member of society.

Participating in community service work doesn’t just benefit the community, but the volunteer as well. It has personally benefitted me because I feel good giving back to our community, I learned new things, met new people, and worked together towards a common goal. Volunteers are critical participants in society all over the world.  

Some volunteer may give their time to formal organizations, while others may take a more informal approach by giving their time locally through community programs, or even helping a family in need. The important thing to remember is that there is no wrong way to volunteer. Any time or resource you can give is greatly appreciated by the individuals who need it.  

Although I am busy like everyone is, I personally choose to help others whenever I can.  Wherever there is a need I can try to help fill, I will.  But above all else, I choose to be the candle to try to get others to do the same.

[Note: This is not the article where you should vote for this contestant. This is essayist No. 10, so in the voting article, which is here, just post a comment that says ‘10' to vote for this student. Voting is limited to one person per finalist per day, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on May 18.]