Hope in a Holiday Gift Bag by Kimberly

Hope in a Holiday Gift Bag by Kimberly - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

A gift bag feels like senior year. From the outside, full of expectations and applications. But what matters is what’s inside of the bag. For me, I want to fill it with purpose , not just achievements. Acts of service , the value of time spent helping people, reminding them they’re not alone.

I want to focus on community service, especially Toys for Tots, as it holds a special place in my childhood. I still remember the first time I received a toy through that program. It was during Christmas, when my family couldn’t afford anything extra, and that gift meant more than what I’d imagined. It wasn’t just a puzzle and a doll but it was a reminder that someone out there cared. It made me feel seen.

Senior year is around the corner, and I want to be on the giving side of that experience. I want to help collect, organize drives, and be a part of creating the same feeling I had when receiving the toy. Whether it’s at distributing events, or just talking to struggling families, I want to use my time in a way that matters.

The goal isn’t to be known as a student with the longest resume. I want to remember my senior year as someone who cared enough to do something. As someone who gave back because they understood what it felt. I know there are kids and teens close by trying to get through for the week, who would be grateful for something as small as a helping hand.

So, if senior year is a gift bag, I want mine to be filled with community, with real moments of service and care. I believe what we give lasts far longer than what we keep for ourselves.