Thursday, April 23, 2015 I was given the surprise of my life! But first, let's go back to how this all started..I started to volunteer at my old elementary school in August 2014. My sister now attends the same school that I did in elementary school. Well, I stated volunteering because my mother wanted me to distract me from my depression that I suffered from at the time. I started going and at first it was a bit uncomfortable because I didn't get to see the kids directly, I never interacted with them because I was helping teachers with their materials they needed for class. I would laminate, cut out projects, cut out letters and deliver them all to the teachers, it wasn't quite my cup of tea. Until one day, they sent me to the library to help out and I fell in love! I learned how to check in and check out, to process books, to decorate bulletin boards, to shelve books and to deal with children better. Volunteering at my old school has made me discover what career path I would like to take, I want to be a teacher. I felt that being a teacher would be my way of making a difference because I would be shaping up little people to be great people in life. Little did I know that my moment to make a difference was everyday that I volunteered at the school. I currently volunteer 15 hours a week and have been volunteering since the first day that I started going. It's not as much as other people volunteering but at least it's something. My depression started dying out because I felt useful and many other factors that will be discussed in another post later on. Now, I would go because I wanted to and not because my mother was making me. I feel sad whenever I don't get to go to the school, yes it can be stressful at times because I attend college and right after my classes I go to the school, but nevertheless I love doing it. On Thursday, April 23rd, I was told weeks before that I had to attend a volunteer of the year luncheon on this day and that a bunch of other volunteers would be there too. At first I felt intimidated because I don't like being in large crowds. So I asked "do I have to go up in front of people and speak?" and I was told that I was not going to do so, I felt more at ease. The day came and I wanted someone from my family to go with me but everyone was busy. My aunt had a doctor's appointment because of her baby (she's pregnant), my mother as going to take her and my dad and sister were busy; my sister in school and my dad was asleep because he had to go to work at night. When I got to the volunteer of the year luncheon, we got there early and everything was so beautiful and fancy. I was greeted at the check in and was give the prize bag that all the volunteers got and a corsage also. We sat in our respective places and waited. The speeches started and I felt really proud of the reason I was there with all the other volunteering people. The speakers kept saying you all are really a true admission and you do make a difference even if you don't feel like you do and that is why you all are here. At the table where we sat at, there was 5 empty seats and when the event started I thought that maybe they were of people that couldn't make it to the ceremony. We started eating and listened to the orchestra and then the time for the winners of the volunteers of the year award, where only one volunteer from all elementary, middle and high schools in the county were picked and given presents. At first they awarded a dog, for brightening the students in elementary school's days. Then the next award was for the volunteer of the year for all elementary schools. They started out by saying This person has only been volunteering for one year but has made a huge difference in the community. She is a former student and is now going back into the school where she used to go and helps give back. After her college classes she directly goes to the school and help out with anything that she can. From covering the front office, to checking in/out library books of the children, being a mystery reader and even doing jobs to help out our teachers and delivering them. Yessenia also suffers from lupus, but you would never know because she never shows it and she never complains. She always comes in ready to help and with a big smile on her face. The children love her and so do we. I literally did not know what was happening, I was lied to! I started to walk up to receive my gifts and award, I was so ready to cry because I never thought it would be and I never thought they would bring up my disease. Not that I am ashamed of my disease but because not many people know about it. When I got up there and started getting my awards and presents, my family pops out of the other room and takes pictures too. WHAT?! I was even more confused! After I sat down, the empty places at our table were for my family! I was so shocked, everything was a lie and I had no idea. I felt so gullible. After the rest of the volunteers were presented, we all took a group picture with the superintendent of the county and the sponsors of the event. People started going up to me and asking me things, I had no idea who they were! After that, we took pictures and was congratulated by many people and I even got flowers! Then the event was over and I went back to the school where I volunteer and got my car and went home. It's still such a disbelief, I was in the newspaper with the rest of the volunteers of the year award winners for the next day, which is Friday, April 24, 2015. I've never had so many people tell me that they're proud of me, but it feels great! See you in the next post!
