With schedules packed with homework, extracurriculars, and jobs, community service may seem like the last thing San Luis Obispo High School students have time for. However, volunteer work is an experience that benefits high schoolers in many ways and should be a priority.

  “I choose to volunteer because it makes me happy to know that I’ve put others first and sacrificed my comfort and time to help people, even in a small way,” said junior Raegan Lunceford.

  Volunteering as a high school student helps the volunteer consider the needs of others and breed compassion at a young age, which is an important quality to have throughout the rest of their life.

  “Volunteering gets you thinking about other people, and about giving back to the community,” said college and career center specialist Colleen Martin.

  Community service can also teach students important skills necessary to succeed in the adult world, by giving them the experience of working in an adult environment and under an adult set of responsibilities.

  “Volunteering has helped me to build leadership and flexibility. From the REACH Club to FFA, to God’s Storehouse, and through many other events, whenever I get the chance to volunteer I learn something new about myself through service and self-sacrifice,” said Lunceford.

  Along with giving students the tools they need to thrive when they graduate, it also helps them pick a career to apply their skills.

  “I think that certain volunteering opportunities can open up young people’s minds to the possibilities of future careers,” said freshman Ava Carlson.

If a student chooses to go to college after they graduate high school, volunteering is a great way to get a leg up on applications.

  “Many colleges look at community service on applications. It is also a great way to get letters of recommendation, which can help whether you are going to college or straight into a career,” said Martin.

  Finally, giving back to the community and helping others is a very rewarding experience overall.

  “My favorite thing about community service is knowing that I have relieved some type of stress from someone. Maybe it’s the person running the event, or someone who attends the event, but my small presence allows me to help them in a profound, but small way,” said Lunceford.

  Visit https://sites.google.com/slcusd.org/slohscounseling/community-service for more information on community service opportunities in San Luis Obispo.