Scholarship Essay

§  Discuss whether or not you believe community involvement is important. How do you get involved in your community?

MaKenzie Beck

August, 9th, 2014

At the age of eighteen I moved away from home and left my family, friends and everything familiar behind, to take a nanny job five hundred miles away. I tended to an infant nine hours a day and quickly discovered that I needed to find a social life for my mental and emotional well being, thus I sought out community. Because of work conflicts I was not able to be as involved with community as I would have liked, but I still found a sense of belonging and companionship through online “Meetup” groups, random volunteer opportunities, work “play dates”, and church involvement. The online “Meetup” groups set a platform for individuals seeking companionship with people of similar interests such as hiking, photography, culture. Though I did not utilize these groups to the extent I wish I could have, I was able to come across individuals I found interesting and have growing experiences. I found volunteer opportunities at a shelter for battered women, and would join in on random fundraising events. Work “play dates” were nice because it allowed me to befriend other nannies and moms who also needed companionship for their sanity, while having their main focus on the growth of the child. Church was where I was the most involved; In turn, I served as a secretary for the women’s classes, a greeter for newcomers, and was a committee member in charge of organizing the activities for young adults. Through these church services I was able to meet people and make friends that led to other community involvement invitations. Through my involvement in community I was introduced to opportunities previously unknown and was able to apply myself to new life experiences. Community gave me the chance to grow as a person, make acquaintances with great people and find friends I will value for the rest of my life.

Based on my experiences, I believe involvement in one’s community is important because it allows individuals to connect with others and grow, whether through hobbies, profession or faith. And I would say the best way to get involved with community is by finding opportunities that cater to one’s interests, this could be a quilting group, a daycare volunteer program or church activities. When getting involved it is important to be open to the opportunities that present themselves, because the ability to be part of a community is a strength one can take throughout the rest of life.