Community service is, by definition, a voluntary work intended to be for the common good. The majority of students view community service as merely a couple of boring hours they have to complete in order to graduate or in order to remain in an organization. To me, however, community service means more.

During my years at high school, I have participated in an extensive list of volunteer events. These events raised money for foundations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the American Cancer Society, as well as local operations like the Freehold Township Police Department. I have survived three all-nighters at both the Howell and Freehold Relays for Life, walked the Long Branch boardwalk to raise money for children with Cystic Fibrosis, bowled with foster kids, and even played dead in an emergency drill at my local mall to assist my town’s Police and Rescue Squads.

The organization that has really influenced me when I was in high school is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. During my junior year, I was selected to participate in an event at MetLife Stadium. The event was a day filled with fun, complete with locker room tours and pictures on the field, all to raise money for children suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. At this time, there is no cure for the disease. After talking to these children at the event, I realized I wanted to do more. I have participated in half a dozen events for Cystic Fibrosis since that day a year ago.

When I came to Seton Hall University, I decided to rush a sorority. On the second day of recruitment, I fell in love with Delta Phi Epsilon because of their emphasis on community service. Our foundations are Delta Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation, ANAD--The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders--and The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A lot of sisters have suffered from various eating disorders. Our chapter here has such strong ties to Cystic Fibrosis as well, as some sisters have personal ties to the disease. The emphasis the Seton Hall chapter put on charity and support for our sisters was what really confirmed my decision to accept my bid to Delta Phi Epsilon. The fact that one of my favorite foundations, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, was such a large part of Dphie, really made me know that I made the right choice. We hold a number of events that raise money for Cystic Fibrosis, including Pirate King, a male beauty pageant that is always a favorite among students at Seton Hall.

I plan on also serving my community with my career. I plan to earn my major in International Relations and Diplomacy at Seton Hall University. Serving as a diplomat is one of the most advanced forms of community service. Although I would be getting paid, I would also have the power to better the lives of billions of people around the globe. I would not just be raising money for the impoverished--I would be able to change their lives through policy. Policy-making is a great way to get issues out in the public eye. By passing laws and policy, the world is forced to examine what is being discussed within government. Personally, I believe this sort of community service has the potential to be just as significant as building homes for the homeless or raising money during Relay for Life. By educating our nation’s youth about political activism and citizenship, we are doing the youth a great service. I plan on continuing to serve my community and--ultimately--the entire global community as I age through my future career.