Each year, ASMS students spend more than 4,500 hours volunteering their time throughout the Mobile area. Whether it’s tutoring elementary students, helping with food drives, building Habitat Homes, rescuing animals, giving blood, or feeding the homeless, it’s clear that ASMS students understand the importance of Giving back to their community. The culture of volunteerism, so deeply ingrained at ASMS, is rooted in a concerted effort by the school to teach students that helping others is an important character trait in many successful leaders. “Teaching good citizenship is part of the emotional and social development of our students,” says Dean of Students Dr. Joe Rambo. “It’s a big part of developing a well-rounded student – which is something we definitely emphasize.” In fact, many students volunteer on a weekly or monthly basis and most become quite passionate about their work. “I love doing community service outside of school because I feel that it is important for us as students to remember that we are part of a greater community,” says senior Isy Goodman, who has spent time working as a Will to Wait Ambassador and a Youth Grant Allocation board member. “I feel that it is a privilege to serve others, because we have all been blessed to be able to attend this school. Taking time to serve the greater community is the least we can do to show our appreciation.” Although there are many reasons why students choose to volunteer, some have come to think of volunteer work as more of an exchange, particularly those who spend time tutoring at elementary schools. “Volunteering is definitely a two-way street,” says senior Nick Motahari, who tutors local elementary students. “The students gain confidence and knowledge to do well inside and outside the classroom, and I gain experience in breaking down complex ideas into easy to understand terms.”
According to many ASMS students, volunteering is also a great way to gain perspective on their own lives. ASMS can be a pressure-cooker environment and it’s easy to become consumed by worries about grades, friends, and college applications. Students, however, say that sometimes it can be helpful to get some distance and think about other things. Volunteering allows this to happen naturally, as students see that this type of involvement in the world can be meaningful. “Students gain a great deal from volunteering,” says History instructor and Key Club sponsor Derek Barry, who helps sponsor several volunteer efforts each year. “They learn to share their good fortune and talents with others who are sometimes less fortunate, to appreciate diversity, and to show compassion and empathy for others.” For Barry, these qualities are important in molding future leaders, as they instill responsibility, organizational skills and a sense that an individual can make a difference in the lives of others. Although many students understand that volunteering builds character and integrity, most say at the end of the day they simply enjoy helping others. “Donating your time is a great way to feel like you have the power to change things for the better,” says sophomore Ali Fry, who volunteers at Leinkauf Elementary School. “When people depend on you, it can change the way you look at yourself. You can feel proud of the goals that you’ve achieved – for yourself and for the people you have helped.” There is little doubt that the skills ASMS students learn while volunteering will help them in the long run – when they become leaders in their respective careers. |
