For much of my life, I have participated in volunteer activities and programs that have helped to shape the person that I am today. Through my volunteering, I learned a lot of valuable lessons about myself, others and the world around me. I was fortunate to grow up in a household where doing our part in our community was taught to me at a young age and became something I would soon be very passionate about.

I began my volunteering experience at a very young age when I joined my church choir with a few of my friends. Each week, we would practice for Sunday's church service. On Sunday mornings, we would volunteer our time to lead our church in song and be a part of an important time in everyone's days. I found a passion for creating joy in other people and continued to do this for many years to come.

As I got older, I was able to find more and more opportunities to keep my urge to serve my community alive. Fortunately, I was offered a volunteer position at my former preschool in my hometown where I was able to work with children of all ages at the school's summer camp.

During my two summers at the school, I learned how to be a leader in a group situation and how to share my knowledge with children who are much younger than I am. Out of this volunteer opportunity, I was offered various babysitting jobs of which I still keep up with today. My summers at the preschool program further sparked my interest in working with children and I realized that I wanted to pursue a career helping people, especially children.

My true passion for volunteerism and doing my part in my community was grown further after spending time as a patient at Boston Children's Hospital. I was fortunate to have been given the best care in the world at a time when I was vulnerable and hurting. The doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers showed me what compassion truly means and inspired me to pursue a volunteer opportunity at the hospital.

During my volunteering at Boston Children's, I met patients with a wide range of issues varying in severity and amount of care. I learned how to cater my responsibilities as a volunteer to different patients and their families. i was able to provide patient entertainment and distractions to the painful procedures or recoveries that the patients may be going through.

I was truly inspired by the patients and by the impact that all the staff and volunteers at the hospital had on the patients and their families. My volunteering further solidified my interest in pursuing a career in nursing and I hope that someday I get to walk the same hospital halls that I have walked now both as a patient and as a volunteer.

Volunteering can teach you what you want to pursue in the future and can create a sense of reward and accomplishment for doing a good thing. I have found great joys in volunteering and hope to continue my passion throughout my college career in any capacity. I am fortunate to have been offered and to have pursued various opportunities that have led me to where I am today in my educational career.

As a result of my experiences and the experiences of others, I encourage people to pursue volunteer opportunities in their communities because you never know what interest you could spark.