About 36 students sat over desks with frustrated expressions, drawing alien symbols on paper. The rest of the students rattled off strange directions. “Make an E but squiggly, put piano keys in a fourth of the circle, and place a backwards four next to the giant staple.”

The activity was drawing perspectives, an activity in which one person tries to reproduce a tricky drawing by instructions by another without being allowed to ask questions. I was facilitating this activity for a leadership and service workshop for 75 students from all the high schools in town. It was exciting to wander around the room a see how all the pairs worked together and how well they communicated. At first I was worried at how well I would be able to lead a discussion afterward, but it went amazingly well, and the group gained exactly what they should of from the activity. Later in the day when my mom stopped by to drop something off, she commented on how much I seemed to be “in my element.”

The “Leadership and Service Workshop” was created by a partnering of Youth Corps and the Leon County Student District Advisory Council. This is my fourth year in Youth Corps, and when I look back on how I was when I first joined, there’s a huge difference. When I joined, I just planned on doing lots of service hours and never saw myself in a leadership position. In fact, it seemed to me, that by being a participant I could do more service than as a leader which I certainly wouldn’t be good at. Honestly, who has heard of a shy leader?
Eventually I decided to take the leap out of my comfort zone and into a position of leadership. I discovered that I love working in groups and coming up with new and creative ideas. Much like working in groups at school, but a lot more open to possibilities.

This interest in facilitation and the discovery of my abilities began this summer when I did a program in Washington D.C. to become a facilitator for the “Help Increase the Peace” program. Through this week-long training, the role of facilitator felt much more approachable. I didn’t feel that I had to have some outstanding qualifications, nor that people would judge me or criticize everything I did. At the end of the program, our group of twenty broke up into smaller groups and did one hour practice workshops. I was surprised at my comfort level and how well everyone said I did. This confidence and experience helped me accept the position of Youth Corps President and made me excited at doing many more workshops at home. 

by Rachel Nickens, Youth Corps Member (SAIL High School)

I have always been one of those people who has to be doing something at all times. When I don’t have something to do, I practically scream with boredom. Through volunteering, I have been able to fill that spare time in a productive manner.

Now, instead of sitting at home, mad at the TV for it’s lack of interesting programs, I can make the world a better place. While doing things I love, like sewing costumes, working with kids, or organizing events, I can help others and the community. It isn’t boring, and it isn’t difficult, because there is a way that anyone can volunteer while doing something they love.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of volunteering is meeting interesting people. As a young person who has always been mature for my age I often feel tied down by the ignorance of others. When volunteering, I meet others who care about the world, and are mature enough to take action. Everyone that I have met while volunteering is an interesting person, with real opinions, and a loving, caring heart. Through those meetings, lasting friendships have developed, as well as much fun being had. I can’t count how many meetings I have gone to, while we giggle hysterically, all the while, being productive.

Discovering volunteering has enabled me to become a better person, and have fun. Without volunteering in my life, I don’t know what I would do. Perhaps go back to yelling at the TV for not showing any interesting programs?