Biography

As a youngster, my parents instilled in me a good work ethic and a sense of responsibility to my community. I now consider myself to be a "volunteer junkie", contributing approximately 200 hours each year. I am only seventeen years old and am pleased with the contributions I have been able to make. Community service is an important part of my life, which I enjoy very much. I will pass on the gift of giving and the gift of mentorship to my children so they will carry on the work of helping their community as well.

At eight years of age my mother introduced me to the Animal Humane Association (AHA) program, and I have been a volunteer there ever since. Each Saturday our group would meet for four hours and spend time with abandoned dogs, giving them love and attention. Within the five years as I grew with the junior program, I was able to take on a few lead positions. It was interesting and fun to be involved with The Animal Play House, a group of young actors that presented AHA's message, first by writing the script and then presenting at public libraries and museums throughout Albuquerque.

I am now an adult volunteer with AHA. Four years ago I became a Camp Counselor with the Camp Love-A-Pet program of AHA and was group leader of four handicapped/non-handicapped children. I taught them how to socialize dogs for adoption and how to teach dogs the basic obedience commands. I also taught the children responsibility and animal care. It was awesome to watch the children, particularly the handicapped children, and the dogs respond to each other as I worked with them. It was almost magical, as one would start the program assigned to a half-starved pup scarred by an abusive owner, and then to see the pup quickly transform into an adorable fur ball, all done by a sole individual who was willing to give of his time, patience and love. By the end of camp, the counselor, the child, and the dog were fast friends, each learning a new perspective and new respect for one another.

It was then that I realized that I could actually make a difference in a child's life. Upon reflection, it seems that most of my volunteer work centers on young children. For example, at my school, Temple Baptist Academy, I have served as Summer Day Camp Assistant, supervising children on the playground or while swimming, as well as arts and crafts. At the school's summer volleyball camp, I passed on skills I learned as a
varsity volleyball player. At Explora! Science Center & Children's Museum, I was a floor volunteer and a summer camp volunteer, assisting children with science exhibits, stage sets, costume design, weaving and crafts, as well as supervising them during lunchtime.

As a junior ranger volunteer for the Rio Grande Nature Center, I worked on environmental projects with other teens. We designed the permanent "moon garden" for the center, adding color by creating our own mosaics with tiles, which can still be seen there today. We learned to be good land stewards and good team players. I was our group's spokesperson presenting our program and accomplishments to other youth groups by designing my own flip charts and my own photography.