Last year at my school, they began a club entitled falcon friends. Students on campus are paired up with a student from the local high school’s extended program. We put on events that we call “socials” to get everyone interacting and mingling. During the days, anyone involved can visit their classroom that’s located on campus.

Many people may view it as “charity” but in all honesty, it couldn’t be further from that. It’s making friends, simple as that. For me, it’s about being surrounded by people who are so incredibly loving, kind and genuine. Spending all of 45 minutes with these people make my day go from terrible to great. They remind me to enjoy the simple things in life, that not everything is the end of the world. It’s time to forget about the bad grade you got in class or the mean professor you’re about to deal with. Hanging out with my friends is something I look forward to every day.

When we have our socials, it becomes a party. More people are around, there are always snacks, music and plenty of laughs. Dance-offs are a common theme at our events. Music always seems to be playing and someone always seems to be dancing. Where one person is dancing, there’s always another joining in. I don’t think anyone understands the absolute adoration I have for the group of people until they see us all in action. It’s a special bond that’s formed and it’s hard to properly describe.

Some people praise me for volunteering so much of my time but I’m not doing anything special. It means a lot to me to spend time with friends and that's what they all are. They’re my friends. They’re integral parts of my life now and I can’t imagine not seeing them every day. It’s not work for me to spend time with them, just like it’s not work to spend time with your best friends. I don’t think I’m doing anything extrordinary. I’m just being myself and they happened to be a part of who I am now. I’m so lucky to have them.

Being a decent person is easy. Spending time with incredibly genuine people makes me a better person. I’ve grown and become so open to so many different kinds of people that I am forever grateful. They’ve each impacted my life so tremendously that I will take the lessons I’ve learned and the happiness they’ve given me with me forever.