St Andrews Food Pantry
Since 2018, I have been volunteering twice a month with the St. Andrews Food Pantry, which provides healthy food items to individuals and families in an area considered a food desert. As Teen Lead of the community food pantry, I have developed strong leadership and organizational skills. Volunteering at the pantry has also been a meaningful way for me to connect with my two autistic siblings, fostering a sense of family unity and shared purpose as we work together. In my family, everyone serves!
One initiative I'm proud of is the creation of "Go Bags" for the homeless—ziplock bags containing essentials like protein, water, and snacks. My family and I make 60 bags quarterly to distribute at intersections and the pantry, inspiring similar efforts in local churches.
By inviting my friends to join us, we collectively serve approximately 220 families in the North Tulsa community, reinforcing the importance of teamwork, empathy, and community engagement. These experiences have not only allowed me to make a positive impact but have also prepared me for the collaborative and service-oriented environment of higher education.
Teen Team
I've been a proud volunteer with the Teen Team program since 2019. During this time, I've thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Summer Reading Program, which serves everyone from elementary students to adults. My role included encouraging students to read, recommending books, and assisting with technology. In my last summer as a volunteer in 2023, I had the exciting opportunity to create and design a mural project that matched the summer theme.
Volunteering has been an incredibly fun and rewarding experience for me, fostering qualities such as leadership, creativity, community engagement, and a strong sense of responsibility. My dedication in this volunteer role was recognized with the Presidential Service Award in 2022, underscoring my commitment to making a positive impact in my community. This award was created by the United States President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. It was an honor to be recognized with a Bronze Award.
Voting Registration Canvasing
(for November 2024 Elections)
Are YOU registered to vote? Every vote counts. This summer, through the Terence Crutcher Foundation, my sister and I had the incredible opportunity to canvas the North Tulsa neighborhood, encouraging community members who weren't registered to vote to sign up while also providing college students with absentee ballots so they could vote where their school is located. As a future law student and a resident of North Tulsa, the historic site of the Tulsa Race Massacre, ensuring every vote is counted is deeply important to me.
Through this experience, I gained valuable skills such as Community Engagement, Advocacy,
Communication and Organizational Skills. These experiences have not only allowed me to make a meaningful impact but have also provided me with continual confirmation of what I want to do in life which is to give people a voice and educate them on their basic rights.
Through this experience, I gained valuable skills such as Community Engagement, Advocacy,
Communication and Organizational Skills. These experiences have not only allowed me to make a meaningful impact but have also provided me with continual confirmation of what I want to do in life which is to give people a voice and educate them on their basic rights.
Community Baby Shower
(American Heart Association)
I love volunteering at the Community Baby Shower with my family and my Jack and Jill of America, Inc. group of teens. Through this event, we are able to provide CPR kits, healthy cooking recipes, blood pressure checks, and various other essential resources to families in the North Tulsa community who might otherwise lack access to these necessities.
Volunteering here has allowed me to develop leadership skills, empathy, and a commitment to community service. Working alongside my friends and family members has taught me the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and social responsibility. These experiences have not only enabled me to make a meaningful impact but have also equipped me with valuable skills for later on in life.
Volunteering here has allowed me to develop leadership skills, empathy, and a commitment to community service. Working alongside my friends and family members has taught me the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and social responsibility. These experiences have not only enabled me to make a meaningful impact but have also equipped me with valuable skills for later on in life.
Living Museum
Since 2021, I have participated in the Living Museum at Barnes and Noble, a project that educates the public about important historical figures who have made significant contributions to America but are sometimes overlooked. By reenacting these influential individuals in a public space, I play a part in educating my community and encouraging them to read more. This experience has helped me develop strong public speaking, research, and presentation skills.
Additionally, it has fostered a deeper appreciation for history and cultural awareness, demonstrating my commitment to learning and community engagement. Through this initiative, I aim to inspire others to explore history and broaden their understanding of the world around them.
