Yesterday I had the pleasure of speaking to Sartartia Middle School students about the importance of community service.
As the older child, I often ask my younger sister what her fellow middle school classmates converse about. Because I've grown up serving at various places around the community, I was shocked to hear that kids her age think that volunteering "is uncool." Instead of preaching to the students, my primary strategy was to make them think. Our discussion began with a brief excitement exercise, regarding the Super Bowl. Once I had reeled them in, I quickly began my talk by asking them a simple, yet powerful question: "What if you were unable to watch or take part in your favorite activities?" I specifically used this thought-provoking interrogative to make the kids attempt to picture a world exempt from their pastimes. A few milliseconds passed, and the entire auditorium got quiet. I was then able to speak briefly about what they can do themselves to make their community a better place, and throw out a few organizations that I've had the fortune of volunteering with, such as Attack Poverty, Second Mile Mission, SIRE, Atria, or Houston Center for Literacy. Many students approached me after I concluded my speech, and asked me specific detailed questions regarding their interests.
Sartartia, thank you very much for inviting me to speak on behalf of the volunteers in our community. I'm grateful that I was given the ability to change their lives through the power of speech.
xoxo,
Your diva,
Diya
As the older child, I often ask my younger sister what her fellow middle school classmates converse about. Because I've grown up serving at various places around the community, I was shocked to hear that kids her age think that volunteering "is uncool." Instead of preaching to the students, my primary strategy was to make them think. Our discussion began with a brief excitement exercise, regarding the Super Bowl. Once I had reeled them in, I quickly began my talk by asking them a simple, yet powerful question: "What if you were unable to watch or take part in your favorite activities?" I specifically used this thought-provoking interrogative to make the kids attempt to picture a world exempt from their pastimes. A few milliseconds passed, and the entire auditorium got quiet. I was then able to speak briefly about what they can do themselves to make their community a better place, and throw out a few organizations that I've had the fortune of volunteering with, such as Attack Poverty, Second Mile Mission, SIRE, Atria, or Houston Center for Literacy. Many students approached me after I concluded my speech, and asked me specific detailed questions regarding their interests.
Sartartia, thank you very much for inviting me to speak on behalf of the volunteers in our community. I'm grateful that I was given the ability to change their lives through the power of speech.
xoxo,
Your diva,
Diya