My heart is behind positive changes in education and the environment. Through my participation in community service projects, I have learned valuable lessons about the significance of each individual in the community.

I have been a part of the Students Environmentally Active club for two years. Every week SEA empties the paper recycling bins from all the classrooms. The process is relatively fast, considering how many members we have. No matter what, there are obstacles in our way. These obstacles are in the form of cans and bottles. Even though the bins are clearly labeled ‘Paper Only’ students continue to place other recyclables in there.

Often, I nominate myself as the bottle collector. I carry as many bottles as I can. The meeting ends with a bottle in each of my pockets, lining the inside of my arms and in between my fingers.

One day, I was exceptionally astonished by the amount of bottles I had collected. I stood still as I tried to come up with ways to walk without dropping all of them. After several moments of deliberation, I took a step forward. Half of the bottles fell, and the rest followed when I went to pick them up. Fortunately, I member of the custodial staff noticed my dilemma. He lent me a few trash bags so I could better transport the bottles.

I used the money from the bottles I collected to purchase a reusable carrying bag. This allowed me to haul beverage containers everyday. Before this experience, I had not realized how many bottles were thrown away on a daily basis. Now, I can spot an empty water bottle from a distance. I found some empty boxes and placed them in classrooms so I may collect more.

I am a National Wildlife Foundation Ambassador, an Environmental Director, and a volunteer at Nature Abounds. Environmental Directors coordinate weekly or monthly cleanups and influence others to make a daily difference in their part of the earth Ambassadors enjoy speak to others in their communities by distributing information and giving presentations to groups and clubs. Ambassadors receive training online. As a Watch the Wild participant (through Nature Abounds, I observe and report on the wild in my community, from wild weather to wildflowers, and from wildlife to plants and trees. When I participate in IceWatch USA, I observe a body of water and the immediate area around that body of water.

With SocialVibe, individuals make a positive, measurable impact for the charity of their choice just by completing branded activities. In little time, I moved to the top 2% on a site with over 255,000 members. This is what allowed me to be the runner up in their "Cash for School" competition. My achievements include being a “SocialVibe Intern of Impact” and a “SocialVibe Analyst of Activities”. Supporting the "Environment" Cause on SocialVibe means that I am earning donations that will be distributed to The World Wildlife Fund, The Surfrider Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy.

Through these activities, I have seen first hand how my actions can change the environment.

As far back as I can remember I have been an avid reader. Other students in my community were not fortunate enough to find reading an enjoyable experience. I noticed my peers struggling with my hobby and cringing at the though of taken literature as another elective. I traced the difficulties back to when they were first taught how to read.
As a literacy volunteer, I instilled the ability to read in first and fourth graders. Knowing I was teaching a skill they would use for the rest their lives gave me intense satisfaction. This experience influenced my decision of becoming a teacher. I learned there is a world beyond the pictures in books, and I want to teach the same to the next generation.

Eighth Grade Parent Night is an important event wherein team members for different organizations recruit up-and-coming students. Multiple groups asked me to be part of their tables (Community Service Club, Early Literacy Volunteers, Diversity Club, etc.) but I sat at the Debate table. Upon arriving, I discovered materials for the Forensics team were made, but there was no one to represent it. As I have been on the Forensics for four years, and was the only surviving member, I took this last minute responsibility as well.

In the meantime, I provide opportunities for others to continue their education. When I looked at my school’s scholarship page, I found it serious lacking, a counselor encouraged me to be the scholarship coordinator. I coordinate a list of scholarship opportunities for students. To do so, I spend many hours researching scholarships. l have also been the judge in two essay contests for students.

I was part of an international community of Scenarios USA supporters 800 strong, charged with narrowing down the hundreds of submissions we received this year to the final 12. I was the first to read these entries. My participation was not only greatly appreciated, but was also vital to this process and the organization. Three stories were chosen to be made into the next Scenarios USA films.

I also judged for the 2010 World Citizen Essay Contest for Washington State students in third through twelfth grades. The goal of the World Citizen Essay Contest is to promote discussion among students, teachers, families, and community members about the ways that individuals can effect positive change in the global community.

This summer, I am submitting a proposal to the Pepsi Refresh project and hope to earn a grant to start my own scholarship program. Volunteering improves grades, leadership abilities, connections to the community and the health of the volunteer. With this scholarship, I will promote the act of volunteering while offsetting the cost of higher education for dedicated volunteers. Multiple scholarships will be given. Scholarship will be based on the community service work done by the student in addition to their ability to express their experience through an essay.

In addition, I will be working in my university's library, managing a community garden and participating in park cleanups every weekend. 

When people ask me what I want to do when I grow up, I answer them quite simply and firmly, “I am going to change the world. “ I am 17 years old, but have known for a very long time that I would be responsible for shaping the world of the future. Crazy? Maybe. Impossible? Definitely not.