Q. What organization do you volunteer with and how long have you been a volunteer?
A. Re-Member. It’s hard to volunteer often since it's in South Dakota, but I've organized fundraisers for it for the past two years and visited and volunteered once during my spring break
Q. Why did you decide to volunteer with Re-Member?
A. I learned of the atrocities committed by the U.S. government against the Native American people in U.S. history last year and felt compelled to act
Q. What have you learned through your volunteer experiences?
A. I've learned about some of the major differences between cultures. I've been put out of my comfort zone, but I've learned to try my hardest to love freely and do what's necessary to help others before myself.
Q. What would you say to other high school students to encourage them to volunteer?
A. It's the best feeling that you can get, it's worth every second of your time and it shows you can change the world one person at a time.
Q. Is it challenging to find time for volunteerism with a busy school schedule?
A. Yes, but luckily the club I run (called Helping Underprivileged Globally Club) allows me to volunteer by raising awareness of certain issues and raising money for various charities all over the world.
Q. How does it feel to be honored for your volunteerism through the Prudential Spirit of Community Recognition?
A. I'm honored to be recognized! I can't believe that Prudential still felt the need to honor local participants. I'm very grateful.
Q. What is your single biggest day-to-day challenge?
A. Being a more peaceful person. That's my goal in life, but when little things make me angry or upset, it's hard to calm down and think about the big picture.
Q. What is your favorite saying?
A. It's a tie: "Be the change you wish to see in the world" (Gandhi) or "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace" (Jimi Hendrix).
Q. Name up to three people you would love to meet.
A. The Dalai Lama, Greg Mortensen (founder of a charity that starts schools in Pakistan--my life's ambition is starting schools in impoverished places) and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
