The round, speckled, white tortilla crackles on the griddle. I flip it onto a napkin and hand it to the enthusiastic 3rd grader who had been heckling me for the past 5 minutes, asking when his meal would be done. We then continue on to the washboard station, where I teach the students from Martin Luther King Elementary in Compton how clothes were washed in the 1850s.
Volunteering at the [name] Museum and giving students opportunities to learn about history gives me a gratification that no award, good grade, or call from a college coach can match. I first began volunteering in 6th grade, when everyone had to complete a mandatory number of service hours. My first task was to pull weeds out of the garden. However, after volunteering more frequently, I was given more responsibility: working field trips. After that, the work transformed into something that was truly enjoyable—inspiring kids to learn more about history. In addition to teaching, I help the students escape from the realities of their lives, which, in many cases, involve destitution and broken families.
During my work at the museum, I became aware that many of the inner city schools could not afford to take their students on field trips, as transportation and other costs were too high. This stirred me to action: I founded the “Junior Board,” which focuses on fundraising for field trips for impoverished schools. We spent hours going from business to business seeking contributions and sponsorships. Through our persistence, we were able to garner enough support to extend educational opportunities to low income students. Our latest project is a video series highlighting different aspects of living history at the museum.
What began as an obligatory community service activity has grown to become an understanding of the importance of commitment to involvement in my community. I have spent hours volunteering, but ultimately I have been the beneficiary of that time, as I will always cherish the joy the children exuded when they came to the Adobe and the opportunity to serve others.