Greatness in Action

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a strong desire to help and serve others as best as I could. When Mr. Woak presented us with different service opportunities, St. Margaret of Scotland instantly appealed to me and is the one I chose to try out. Because I am considering working with kids in the future, I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me.
On Wednesday, I went to St. Margaret of Scotland and volunteered in their after-school program with Cate Llewellyn. As we were getting out of the car, I was extremely nervous. So many questions popped into my head: will the kids like me? Will I understand their homework? What if I cannot help? However, the minute I walked into the building, my entire mood shifted.

Everyone was so welcoming to me and Cate. They were so happy they had two volunteers for the day. The woman in charge, Ms. Cameron gave us a hug when we walked in and began running around getting everything ready for the kids. When the kids walked in, I understood why everyone was so grateful. There were over fifty children from pre-k to junior high. 

While there, I helped many kids with their math homework. The kids were working on word problems and many were confused on the same question: Why does your answer make sense? It struck me as such an odd question for a math worksheet. Personally, I had no idea what to tell the kids to write at first. In the end, I just asked them, "why do you think your answer makes sense?" They all had a variety of responses and I just told them to write it down. What seemed like a simple question confused so many of them, and it confused me as well. As I thought, I realized it was the fact that there was no right or wrong answer that confused many of them. It was amazing to see their different opinions and views on this question.

Overall, my time at St. Margaret of Scotland was very entertaining and just great. I met so many funny kids and felt so blessed to be there. I really  do not know how Ms. Cameron does it. If Cate and I were not there, she would have been watching all those kids by herself. Although there are teachers walking in and out, she basically does it all on her own, with a smile on her face. She is the definition of greatness. Her kindness and strenth are some qualities that I hope to emulate in my own life. She has a strict, but caring tone with all the kids and you can tell she really cares about each and every one of them. I hope to learn more and more from Ms. Cameron and the kids when I return next.

Hope for Ebola Orphans

Ebola, the disease that has killed many in Africa, has a struck a nerve for everyone across the world. With a recent case found in America, many people are on high alert. However, in this time of distress and sickness, greatness can be found. In a recent article, Aryn Baker talks about the many, now orphan, African children who lost their parents to the disease. One three-year old girl, Berlinda, watched her mother die and then was taken away by men in bio-hazard suits. In fear she was infected, she was taken away to an observation room. After her test results came out negative, she had no where to go and no family. The United Nations Children's fund estimated that around 3,700 other children have lost parents as well. So what will happen to these children?

In Berlinda's case, she was taken in Katie Meyler, a founder of an education center for young Liberian girls. Meyler, after seeing Berlinda, decided to change her education center into  a home for Berlinda filled with toys. After taking in Berlinda, she began to take in more and her center became an orphanage for children who lost their family to this deadly disease. Meyler named the house HOPE, or Housing, Observation, and Pediatric Evaluation.

With the government unable to do anything for the children at this point, this HOPE house gives hope to many orphan children. Through this horrible tragedy, Katie Meyler has given children a place to stay, food to eat, and a reason to hope. Katie Meyler is a great example of what it means to be great. She lives a selfless life, serving those in need, and does it with all her heart. HOPE has been found in this Ebola outbreak.

Strength in A.L.S.

The A.L.S. Ice Bucket Challenge took the nation by storm over the summer. Millions of Americans dumped  a bucket of cold water over the head to support those affected by A.L.S. and over $115 million was raised for research. Many asked, how do those affected by A.L.S. respond to the challenge? 

In a recent article, Roni Rabyn describes her father's experience with A.L.S. Her father, David Roni, started walking with  a limp when she was in college. Her parents referred to the disease as a, "back problem" keeping her and her younger sister in the dark. At 19, her mother told her the truth: her father was dying from A.L.S. She watched her father's health deteriorated, but never his spirit. He stayed in good spirits and kept his humor until the end, even when he could barely talk. He swam laps at the pool to slow down the disease, but it came and took over his body. 

Rabyn also took time to describe the community's reaction. There were those who drifted away to give the family their space, something they did not want. However, there were the good ones who stayed with the family and through all their support behind them. When the A.L.S. Ice Bucket Challenge started, Rabyn did not appreciate it and felt people were being fake. However, when she saw patients getting into it and all the money raised, she realized how much awareness was raised and began to appreciate it more. 

Although A.L.S. is a horrific disease that took her father from her, Rabyn continued to see the greatness within the situation; she saw what made her father truly great and the people around her. The fact that her father kept good spirits and remained determined is something beautiful in the face of tragedy. Greatness lies within determination and strength through tragedy. Another great thing Rabyn recognized was the A.L.S. Ice Bucket Challenge. She first saw it as in-genuine but saw it in its true glory when those struck with the disease got a chance to participate. In her conclusion, Rabyn urges readers to take on a new challenge:continue raising awareness for this horrific disease; find a cure. 

True Friends in Texas

For a high school girl, being homecoming queen can mean everything. Recently, at Grand Prairie High School in Texas, Anahi Alvarez, a high school senior, gave her homecoming crown away to her best friend, Lillian Skinner. "Why?" do you ask. In a recent article, Alvarez describes how Skinner had been targeted in a prank the previous week. Certain girls had convinced Skinner she had been nominated for homecoming queen along with her best friends, Alvarez and Naomi Martinez. Both girls vowed that when they won, they were giving the crown to Skinner, who was hurt and embarassed. They even got their principal, Lorimer Arendse, in on the surprise. Arendse led Skinner to the field telling her she was just taking pictures of her friends. Then, as Skinner neared the stage, Alvarez motioned her on stage and gave her the crown. Skinner could not have been happier, and felt as if she was in a dream. 

What does this story teach us? Well, within this story, one can find what it  means to be great. Through a simple sacrifice, Alvarez and Martinez made their best friend's day.  Although a small sacrifice, it can compare to Eric Greiten's, an American war hero's, choice of sacrificing his education to defend his country. Alvarez's sacrifice teaches us all the how simple it is to make a difference in someone's day and achieve greatness.

Attacking ISIS

Wednesday night, President Obama addressed the nation on the ever growing threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria, or ISIS. Zeke Miller wrote an article in TIME Magazine discussing the president's national address. Obama asserts that the US will go on the offensive and continue airstrikes on the ISIS government. He did not give a time frame for the war, saying "it will take time to eradicate a cancer like ISIS." Obama clarified that ground troops will not be fighting in Syria, but will implement more airstrikes and help train Iraqi rebels.

Americans have been waiting for action to take place after several threats had been made on the country, including the beheading of two Americans. Some have referred to ISIS's actions in Syria and Iraq as a genocide, attacking and killing the innocent people in Iraq and Syria. Throughout its history, the United States has defended the innocent and the minorities in repressive countries. Obama now asserts that The United States will go to war with ISIS. 

American's actions on ISIS illustrates similar beliefs to Eric Greitens' The Warrior's Heart. Greitens urges his readers to take action and serve others. After helping relief efforts in Rwanda after the Rwandan genocide and other struggling countries, Greitens insisted action must be take to protect others. This is what President Obama and the United States must do with ISIS. America must not only defend its people, but the innocent people in Syria and Iraq as well.