Teen Volunteers: ‘It Keeps Me Motivated to Succeed’

Some high schools and colleges are requiring students to do volunteer work in their communities as part of their course work. Some students resist, but others have been giving of their time all along. Some of these Southern California student volunteers talked with JAMES BLAIR about what they get from the experience--from personal satisfaction to a better resume, peer respect and professional experience.

ALFONSO CHAVEZ

17, senior, Santa Ana High Schoo

I’m in Peer Assistance Leadership, a program dedicated to an anti-drug, anti-gang message, solving conflicts without physical abuse and trying to understand our peers. Recently we went to a “Kick Ash” [anti-smoking] program and we’re also involved in conflict management here at school. We try to help students find a solution to their conflicts.

There’s really nothing in it for me except the satisfaction of knowing that I helped somebody, knowing that I made a difference somehow. That’s what really has inspired me to do these things ever since I was in the seventh grade--that’s when I first got into the PAL program. It appealed to me knowing that I had the opportunity to be able to help people my own age.

It’s gotten to the point where I’m nicknamed “Al is your pal.” I’m seen as the anti-drug, anti-gang guy here at school. People see me as someone they can turn to for help. It’s really increased my popularity here. Sometimes I do get negative reactions, like “Why even bother? Why do you even try? It’s not working.” But I just see it as I’m helping somebody so I have to keep going.

I wish more people did this. I wish more people see the need for help out there.

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SHARMEEN PREMJEE

15, sophomore, Santa Monica High School

Since I entered high school, I’ve been constantly motivated to get involved in the community, not only because it helps for college but because it gives me something positive to do. And it keeps me motivated to succeed.

Among other activities, I’m a mediator at Santa Monica High School, and I’ve been a mediator since I was in the sixth grade, in a program that helps students resolve their own problems. Recently I won an award for this from Los Angeles County. It’s something to put down on my college application, and something for me to feel proud about.

As a mediator, I’ve seen problems dealing with race, boyfriend--girlfriend issues, best friendship issues, gang-related [issues]. I’ve even mediated between teachers and students. In that case there’s an adult mediator and a student mediator.

I’m a first generation American and my parents didn’t always have an easy life. Seeing them struggle makes me want to help people more.

I’ll probably be the first person to go to college in my family--at least in America. It’s sort of interesting to see how a student out of an immigrant family can succeed and how, if I was living in Pakistan where my parents are from, I wouldn’t have any of the opportunities I’m getting right now.

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RUTH GARCIA

14, freshman, Bravo Medical Magnet High School, East Los Angeles.

I [volunteer] in the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. I’ve been there for about a year. Basically, I do file work; I also use a computer. We help patients understand what’s going on if they have any problems.

I started volunteering because I want to be in the medical profession and because I wanted to know what everything is about and if I’m going to it medicine before I get into it.

Right now I’m trying to graduate in two years and I think I’m going to make it. I go to school six days a week and I’m trying to get as many credits as I can and I work after school every day at the [hospital’s] volunteer office.

I enjoy everything that I do down there. And everything that happens--patients coming in ready to deliver kids, running patients up to the rooms quickly and so on. I really like it.

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NANCY WEI

Senior, Glen A. Wilson High School, Hacienda Heights

I’m a volunteer for the Red Cross and a founder of the American Red Cross Youth Club at my school. We do activities like CPR training and first aid; We’ve just done disaster training and a couple of the people in our club are training to become CPR instructors.

Since September, 120 students have turned in volunteer applications.

What I get out of it is a sense of putting something back into the community. I wanted to go to school to get some things other than academics and volunteering with other students is a way of learning outside of high school.

Some students and volunteers joined the club just for college transcript purposes; but they don’t really understand the purpose of the Red Cross. I’ve learned that volunteering is a lot more than just putting it down on your resume. If you want any activity to succeed, you really, really have to put a lot of time and planning into it.