What Volunteering Gave Me by Sophie

What Volunteering Gave Me by Sophie - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

I began volunteering my sophomore year of high school as a prerequisite for graduation. When I first began, I thought I was just giving my time. Instead, I discovered that each time I volunteered I wasn’t only giving back but I was also receiving valuable life lessons that helped reshape how I see others, myself, the student I want to be in college and the career path I plan to take.
My first volunteer experience was at Brookdale Jackson Oaks, an assisted living and memory care facility in Jackson, TN. I chose Brookdale based on personal experience from watching my great grandmother live in a similar facility for a short time in Greenville, South Carolina. I remember visiting her when we were younger and her telling me that she wished she could interact with people my age more often because it brought her so much joy to see me and my sister. Because of my personal experiences, I thought that volunteering with the elderly would be a good way to give back to the community while also doing something towards my career path.
My first time walking into Brookdale, I was nervous to see what I would be doing and if the tenants would even want me to be in their space. My worries quickly melted away, however, as soon as I entered the common area and all of their faces lit up. We played UNO and did mobility exercises to get them moving. After leaving on that first day, I knew that Brookdales was where I was meant to volunteer and I have continued to do so at least once or twice a month. Currently, I am planning a “Trick or Treat" event with the Senior Sisters Club, a club at my high school that I am president of that creates a positive experience for incoming freshmen girls by pairing them with a senior “sister” to ease the transition into high school. Through our “Trick or Treat” festivities we hope to create happy memories during the holiday season and provide an engaging experience for all.
Through volunteering at Brookdale, I developed a deep love for the elderly and decided I wanted to share my love for volunteering in other ways. I reached out to the director of the Women’s Elderly Ministry at Fellowship Bible Church in Jackson, TN and started to volunteer with them as well. Through this ministry, I was given the opportunity to be a personal aid and shopper for one of the women that had recently undergone full knee replacement surgery. I got to know her on a personal level as she shared her life story with me and provided me with great advice.
Through these experiences, I learned that volunteering is not just about completing a task and gaining hours. It’s about making a positive difference in someone’s life, whether that’s providing food for those in need, cleaning up a park, or just spending time with someone and being a listening ear. It teaches empathy, teamwork, and responsibility, while giving volunteers a chance to see the world from different perspectives. As a student on campus, I would strive to help remind others that even small actions, like a smile, donation, or a few hours of service can have a big impact. I would proactively seek out and create opportunities where I could help give back, assisting in creating a stronger, kinder, and more supportive environment for everyone. I would encourage others to remember that doing such things is not only thoughtful, it’s an expression of hope and humanity that inspires others to do the same.