According to my personal beliefs, volunteering is the act of dedicating time to help others. In “When Volunteerism Isn’t Noble” by Steirer, the author argues against the requirement for high school students to fulfill a certain number of community service hours in order to graduate. In her own high school experience, Steirer declined to follow the rules regarding mandatory volunteering for graduation, as she believes that true volunteering should be a choice rather than an obligation.
Ironically, Steirer volunteered in high school but did not report her hours to school because of her beliefs, resulting in not receiving her diploma. While I agree with Steirer’s idea, I do not endorse her decision to jeopardize her future. I strongly believe that our future holds utmost importance and that students should volunteer out of their own volition, rather than mere graduation requirements. Personally, I would choose to engage in extensive community service over fulfilling the graduation criteria.
My motivation for community service extends beyond meeting a graduation requirement. I genuinely want to help others and make a positive impact in my community. By the end of my senior year in high school, I had accumulated approximately 60 hours of community service. All seniors were required to participate in a volunteering event, and my friends and I chose the most difficult task available. Our mission was to travel to the mountains and teach Taiwanese aboriginal children about English language and different aspects of American culture.
Spending time with the children was a delightful experience. My friends and I taught them about American culture, while they introduced us to new things. Graduating with 70 community service hours after a week of volunteering on the mountain was a source of great satisfaction. It also made me realize that some people only come to the mountain for community service hours. It makes me question why mandatory volunteering should not be continued?
While teaching children in the mountains, I observed that many of them lack knowledge about global events due to limited access to technology resources. This highlighted our responsibility to assist them in obtaining what they need. As individuals from privileged backgrounds, we struggled to fully comprehend the difficulties faced by others.
Advocating for mandatory volunteering is crucial in engaging with our community and aiding those facing challenges. These services not only provide assistance but also foster empathy towards the struggles of others. Considering the considerable impact I have had, it is justifiable to be acknowledged for my contributions to the community. Furthermore, volunteering offers an irreplaceable chance for personal growth.
Despite not viewing it as negative, I believe that it is advantageous for high schools to enforce a specific amount of volunteer hours before graduation. This requirement helps encourage student involvement in their community and offers support to those in need. I agree with Steirer’s viewpoint and support her belief that volunteering should arise from genuine willingness rather than being forced.
