"Service Above Self"
I volunteer at the Paradise Center doing some ushering and greeting during plays. I like doing this because my dad is in some plays at the theater and I like being involved and going to watch his performances and it's something that not many other kids my age do. I have gotten to know some of the other actors so it is fun to be there with them behind stage and see what is going on behind the scenes that other people don't get to see.
I like seeing all the people who come to the theater and supporting the cast and community. It is more fun to be part of the play then just watching it even if I'm just there to help pass out information or greet people, I feel like part of the cast and crew. Watching and helping with so many plays at the Paradise has made me think about doing stand-up comedy or maybe helping with production like lighting and sound so I am taking Intro to Theater Arts in high school this year. I think this experience helps me be more involved with the community, build more friendships and do new things.
I also helped my girlfriend's family with their business in Faribault this past year. They own Trump's apple orchard and it gets very busy and they need help in the store sometimes because they work every day for 12 to 15 hours. They do a lot to support me so I liked going there to help whenever I was not working at the golf course because it feels good to be helpful and do a good job at something, especially when you are helping people you know and care about. I started learning more about their business the more I went there to help and they had me doing different things like sorting apples, making caramel apples, stocking shelves and cleaning. I learned that I like being busy and working hard and helping customers more than doing something just to get a paycheck.
Afterwards we would have supper together and it was fun to work hard together and then relax together. It felt good to be involved in the orchard because it is a important part of the community and it makes me feel proud to be part of that. Scott delivers apples to all of the HyVee grocery stores in the area and cities every day and a lot of people go to the store to get apples, pumpkins, cider, apple crisp and other products which helps our economy and they provide several jobs. Chrissy runs the store herself so they both work very hard and are good role models for me and their kids. They also get a lot of visitors who come to Faribault to shop so it is important they have enough help to stay open and keep their store running and strong tourism for Faribault. I have learned a lot about what it takes to run a family business and work hard which is an act of service above self because you have to do what is best for the business and your employees before yourself.
Other things I have done include when Covid first started, I helped volunteer downtown and we packed about 200 big food boxes and that was hard work but it felt really good when we got all the boxes done. It was like a race to fill the boxes and I liked it being challenging and rewarding. The boxes were given away at school to families in need. It made me appreciate having food at home when I'm hungry and my family able to go grocery shopping and out to eat.
I also helped deliver 100 bikes and helmets to Jefferson last summer. The bikes were for children who don't have a bike. It was fun to help because they needed my help and they thanked me a lot for coming. Participating helped me appreciate that I had a bike when I was younger and able to go riding around my neighborhood and trails. Lots of other kids don't get to do that and giving them a bike helps them have more freedom to explore the community and be healthy. Sometimes when I see a child riding a bike, I think that is a bike I helped with.
I do also like to help coach younger players in hockey and I've been volunteering to do that this season. I think it's good for the younger kids to get to know us High School varsity players and have good role models and I like being someone the kids can look up to.