Personal Narrative: I Volunteer In My Local Community

Whether a person prefers late night television hosts like Stephen Colbert, classic shows like The Three Stooges, or fringe stand-up comedians, everyone needs a good laugh. Increasingly long workdays and pressure has created an anxious American population hungry for a release through comedy. Yet, these shows provide only temporary relief. In an effort to preserve or improve finances, many forget to be happy. As every orphan in Annie knows "It 's what you wear from ear to ear and not from head to toe that matters." However, even in my local community I see adults and children alike struggle to enjoy themselves as they face competition in school or the workforce. Too often, individuals are unaware of how to face growing dissatisfaction and isolation

Prior to volunteering, I had participated in numerous production at the theatre ranging from Disney musicals to Shakespeare 's plays. As I started high school the theatre 's founder and head, Mrs. Aileen McCulloch, began asking me for help with various tasks. Suddenly, I found myself assistant directing entire plays, and eventually I would move on to direct summer camp productions by myself. It was not easy; it was something I loved. Serving at the troupe meant agreeing to months in production, and hours of assisting at multiple practices each week. Only after counting my service hours did I realize I spent 286 hours of service at Vagabond alone (in total I have completed approximately 397 hours of service). Unsurprisingly, commitment to long stretches of time meant that service at the troupe came in periodic bursts when I could manage a play and my course load. Serving over the summer was particularly appealing but somewhat difficult as both of my parents work and for the majority of high school I could not drive. As a rising junior, I vividly remember biking four miles from my house to the theatre and four miles back for a month. Biking up and down quiet rural roads was an unexpected gift from my service as it rapidly changed me from a panting, sweaty, teenager girl into a fit, slightly less sweaty, teenage girl. Though I reaped many fruits from community service I firmly believe that the children I worked with received my benefits