It’s every girl’s dream to share their big birthday bash- in my case, a sweet fifteen or quinceañera- with their family and friends. On the contrary, my wish was to just spend my fifteenth birthday party with another group of people, ones who were mentally and physically disabled in my home country, the Dominican Republic. It wasn’t about volunteering my time at the household or just putting down hours for my Girl Scout Gold Award. This day was about making these kids feel important and seeing smiles on their faces as they saw us arrive towards their home.
Rewinding back, before my arrival to the Dominican Republic. Being a part of the familiar international organization of the Girl Scouts for six years, at the time, I was eligible for the Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn. My decision on choosing to help out the community the healthcare field was perfect because I plan on becoming a doctor, preferably a pediatrician, since I believe that the younger generation will make great changes in our future. In time for a young Latina’s important phase change from girl to woman, a celebration among loved ones is a tradition. Knowing that it would be costly, it would be a dream to wanting to spend it with a group of children who need more attention, ones who are physically and mentally challenged and had to be separated from their families and sent to a place where they can be among others like themselves. Hearing their stories made me get to work by receiving tons of donations from my community in order to make their lives more satisfied. From clothes to toys, I shipped five large boxes to the Angeles de Conani orphanage in Santiago. For doing this remarkable service to my people back home, my parents still kept the big party on. They just had to continue the tradition, but there’s no need to be upset- it was a great opportunity to see both sides of my family come together and enjoy themselves.
It was the day to volunteer my time at the Angeles de Conani orphanage. When I arrived, the adults who worked there gave a tour of the facility so we can be familiar with its environment. At the orphanage, these kids- most are eighteen and younger- however there are even adults there, live in this place that is complete with a backyard, kitchen, two floors for beds and bathrooms and one small television and an accompanied couch which they call their entertainment. I know that with my court (the few special people who dance in my quinceañera), my mom, myself, along with a few other relatives, we can give these kids the time of their lives. Bringing out some cake, drinks and several party supplies will liven up this small festivity. But what kind of celebration is this without music? Even the tiniest thing- like music to everyone’s ears- can cheer someone up like the one young boy in a wheelchair who showed off his guitar and singing skills! After the delicious desert, I presented everyone with the wonderful donations that my community in New York has generously offered to them. The day was coming to an end and it was time for us to say our goodbyes and see the kids’ wave back. Closing the gate of the orphanage, I left with a smile because I know none of them take life for granted and that they all appreciate every minute of each day.
Believe it or not, that experience has impacted my life a lot. I live everyday as if it were my last. I make an attempt to accept every opportunity that comes my way. Since that last trip to my home country I was given the amazing chance to spend five days in Washington D.C. for the historic inauguration of the forty-fourth president, Barack Obama, as part of the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference (PYIC). I met teens from all over the world, all here because of their academic success and leadership skills, like me. For being such an inspiration, this past June, I was even a guest speaker for my sister’s fifth grade graduation, the same elementary school I attended. I also went to San Francisco, California- for the first time and also a first outside of my time zone- for a Medicine and Health Care conference for ten days during sunny July as part of the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC). Seeing other high school students from this vast nation who shared the same interest in this field was a great experience and a marvelous way to start off any teen’s summer vacation! Setting aside my brains for school, I now depended on my beauty as I became a participant for the title of Miss New York Teen USA. As a first time contestant, I hardly had any pageantry experience, making it difficult for me to move up on the competition. However, for me it was not about the competition, but more about meeting the other females from the Empire State who aren’t only about looking the best but are achieving their best academically.
As a junior in high school, this is an important year for every student who is planning to continue their education in order to pursue their dream career. I make sure my grade point average remains exceptional and that I stay in shape in order to play my best whether it’s volleyball, golf or softball season! As of now, my ranking is sixth in my class of a little more than nine hundred and I’m getting ready for March to come around so I can improve on my golfing techniques. Outside of school and its activities that I’m involved in like varsity sports, Arista and the Arista Committee, I am just as active. I do a lot of volunteer in the local Queens Hospital Center, with the Girl Scouts and my local Leos Club, and I’m a religious education catechist aide and in the Youth group in my church.
Those mentioned are community services that mostly help out locally. My volunteer experience with the challenged adolescents is unique in comparison to the others because I was able to benefit them on a global perspective. I enjoy volunteering my time to my community and every experience is dear to my heart due to the fact that it’s providing assistance to many people who need it the most. I have fed the homeless and the poverty-stricken, taught ESL classes to Hispanic adults, walked for Breast Cancer, raised money for numerous charities like for the tragedy in Haiti, have given Christmas gifts to ill children in local hospitals every year and other amazing moments that has not only put a smile on their faces but one on mine. Even though I do so much for others, I consider myself as an ordinary teenager who does extraordinary things!
