Written By: Claire Trieschmann
As my Freshman year comes to a close, I can’t help but look back and reflect on the highlights of my first semester of college. Though there are many positives, a volunteer service in particular comes to mind. As a member of my sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, we are given the opportunity to volunteer at and work alongside the students of Washington Elementary School. Due to the fact that our philanthropy is “Reading is Key,” we are given a chance to not only help students learn to read and improve their education as a whole, but we are given the chance to actually see the results firsthand. I myself helped in a kindergarten class once a week. One student specifically was rather unruly and resistant to learn at first, and I noticed that he was significantly behind his fellow classmates in his prior education. From further speculation, it seemed rather evident that he wasn’t getting much help from home with school work or mind-stimulating activities. I began to make it my priority to be friendly towards him, and make him valued and cared for to the best of my ability. I realized that once I maintained trust with him, it became easier to teach him. As the months flew by, we developed a great friendship, and I truly noticed improvement in his drive and work ethic as a whole. My last day of volunteering quickly arrived, and I was asked by the teacher to determine each student’s ability to pronounce and recognize their letters. I sat in the hallway quizzing kindergartner after kindergartner, and then my little buddy quickly bounded over to me. A huge grin spread across his face, and I noticed confidence in his little stature. My heart swelled with pride as he responded diligently to every letter I read off, and I could not help but feel so proud to be a member of a sorority that places so much value on education. In conclusion, although I have learned a plethora of life lessons through my social encounters and tough classes, I believe the efforts we take to help others teaches us far more about the world and ourselves than a classroom would ever be able to.
