Tutoring, 

Fundraising, 

Environmental Service.

Are all just a few of the ways students choose to give back to their community.

For some students this can be seen through a religious or faith-based context. Senior Anibal Escobar-Chanez, for example, volunteers in his local church through his photography skills. His dedication to serving all started on the whim of asking to use a camera at a church camp. Since then he has been continuously working in the media team throughout the year through Sunday service and back to the camp where it started. 

“The general idea is that [the church’s media team can] build a social media presence in order to reach people outside of church walls and grow the Lord’s kingdom,” Escobar-Chanez said.

Through his experience, his perspective on his photography skills has changed. “I photographed my great grandfather who passed away shortly after we had left my trip to Bolivia,” Escobar-Chanez said. “[It] made me grateful to have started photography because if I hadn’t I wouldn’t have those photos.” 

For other students, like senior Diana Clavijo, volunteering is a contribution back to her Spanish community. “As a Bolivian I feel like this contributes to my Spanish community by helping others feel safe, secure and comfortable in the help they need, especially translating important information and advice in what procedures they need,” Clavijo said.

She volunteers every week at a local pharmacy with a variety of tasks.

Specifically due to her position she does certain tasks such as “helping people take medication, giving them advice on the medication. While also filling medication into the patient boxes to be sent to their room later with a cart,” Clavijo said. 

Nevertheless, through the technical aspects of her contribution she enjoys helping people out even if it’s the smallest tasks, helping the elderly with medicine while also helping children with medical attention and vaccines. “I do it because it just feels right to do it,” Clavijo said.

Community involvement can also be extended beyond the traditional roles of volunteering into education and advocacy. Sophomore Shilok Dvorshak approaches service through discussion, research and social awareness. 

“I feel advocacy is a necessary skill to develop that requires extensive education and research behind it,” Dvorshak said. “I usually advocate on social media and occasionally in person, but I’m only 15 so I don’t have that option a lot.” 

Dvorshak explains that advocacy has become embedded into daily life through their ongoing learning about geopolitical issues and engaging in intellectual discussion with others. 

“Advocacy is something I feel is required of me,” Dvorshak said. “I feel like advocacy raises class consciousness and awareness among people to important geopolitical affairs and connects me to people on a level of empathy I didn’t develop until now.”

While volunteering through media or advocacy, other students contribute through school organizations and career- based programs. Senior Melanie Salazar volunteers through the culinary program, helping organize events that raise money while building professional experience. 

“ For culinary, we organize events to raise money for our class,” Salazar said. “I participate because of the experience and knowledge I gain from it, as I aspire to pursue a career in the culinary field.”

Salazar often volunteers after school, during Pride Time and occasionally on weekends according to events. Despite the long hours, she values the teamwork involved. “We all feel a bit exhausted after an event, but we enjoy the camaraderie and the satisfaction of having put on a successful event,” Salazar said.

Events such as Cakechella bring student chefs and local small businesses, allowing guests to use tickets to sample food while vendors gain exposure and students network within the culinary field. 

“I feel a sense of fulfillment in contributing to the community by demonstrating how a group of teens can come together to organize an event and create delicious food,” Salazar said. 

Though each student serves in different ways, their experiences highlight a shared commitment to strengthening the community. 

“No matter how small the work is or how insignificant it may seem, everything counts,” Escobar-Chanez said.