In my freshman year, I became a team captain for a Relay for Life team of 30 students at Novi High School. Relay for Life is an fundraising organization for cancer research, and students and adults can form teams to fundraise for the final event in May. For 9 months, our team worked tirelessly, meeting multiple times a week and spending several hours preparing for events. Along with other two co-captains and my team, we came up with several ideas for events we could host to fundraise for Relay for Life. We walked around neighborhoods, raked leaves, made posters, hosted a Valentine's Day event, and sold homemade desserts at a 24 hour event in May of 2016.
When I discovered that The Manor of Novi was looking for volunteers in my sophomore year, I was excited to help out. Every Sunday morning I would help set up the church session rooms and the dining halls. Sometimes I helped residents take their morning medication, sometimes I helped them use the restroom, sometimes I simply pushed their wheelchairs to where they wanted to be. I connected with the residents and had a chance to understand a different part of life. I imagine many people could have helped out in the same way that I did, but even though my actions may have been simple, every second I spent at the Manor of Novi was meaningful.
I have attended MNCCS every Sunday since I entered public school. I learned how to speak, read, and write Mandarin, and got the opportunity to understand a little more about my Chinese heritage. Now, I am giving back to MNCCS. Instead of learning Chinese, I volunteer every Sunday and help other children learn Chinese too. I set up the school in the morning, work at the front desk, and am a teacher assistant as well. My appreciation for the Chinese language and culture and ability to communicate with others in Mandarin is not only a personal strength, but a resource for others as well.
I joined National Honor Society at Novi High School in my sophomore year, where I combined my academic abilities with my passion for helping others. Every year, I choose a Fall Service Project and a Spring Service Project to help the community. I also tutor struggling students in several subjects, such as chemistry, biology, and math. Through National Honor Society, I serve with the core values of honesty and integrity, and it guides me in my everyday life. I am currently the Junior Secretary for National Honor Society, and I keep our club organized and on-track while simultaneously looking for more opportunities for service.