Communities are our foundation of humanity, our support system, our places where we belong. Each being on this planet can all find people they relate to, people that encourage them and push them to be better.
These groups, big or small, can add to our character and enhance our quality of life. Students have shared that the communities they are involved in have given them a purpose, and helped them discover who they are.
“I feel like it’s given me a sense of belonging,” Avery Robinson (9) said. “I think it brings people together and it helps lift other people up.”
While some have found themselves, others have found the strengthened social connections, and exposure to new opportunities that come with the community.
“Honestly, I just like being involved, I like meeting new people and being around others, and putting myself out there,” Natalie Anderson (10), Track and Field athlete, said.
Putting yourself out of your comfort zone, meeting new people, and building relationships is just the start of all that a community can do, and benefit. Students show that with these closer connections, great things can happen.
“They just bring people closer together, building new relationships that you might not have thought of before…. they allow people to provide for others and build them up in times they need,” Anderson said.
These influences are clear and contagious, yet working alongside others and putting aside differences is not the only challenge some may face. Many students find these groups intimidating, and hesitate when wanting to join them, Robinson explains how to overcome this.
“Just go talk to them, they’re friendly, you’re most likely going to be accepted,” Robinson said. “They have challenges because people are different and they have disagreements, but we can get past that.”
Students continue to share the tremendous impact one may have on anothers life, groups of these like-minded people have an even higher chance of influence, and can relate to that individuals struggles and accomplishments. Showing respect and empathy to one another is one of the many parts that makes a community so beneficial and unique.
“I feel like anybody who’s good to each other, if you respect people, you’re automatically, an important aspect to someone’s life, because you’re making them happy, and that’s what matters the most in life,” Morgan Voter (9), JROTC Member and athlete, said.
