I joined an organization here called Marshall Youth Outreach, where we help tutor high school students in subjects such as math and science. We had a couple of weeks off, and given the pace of school so far I didn't mind. We picked up again this week and to be honest I was somewhat dreading the commitment. When I arrived, the place was locked but instead of just leaving I decided to wait a bit.

I'm glad that I did. This week was geared more towards high school seniors working on their college entrance essays and personal statements. The first essay I helped with described a young boy's life of poverty. Single-parent family, ten children, homeless at one point, and even caught in the middle of a drive-by shooting. He told a story of how he was robbed of $5 he had planned to spend on a basketball tournament. He decided to say something and convinced the gang member that had robbed him to return the money, an experience that drove him to utilize the power of speech through the debate team. Powerful story.

The second essay I helped with described a young girl's realization that others looked up to her after helping out an appreciative nephew with homework. This influenced her new perspective of helping others and not just looking out for herself.

I think back to the hope and ambition to achieve great things that I felt when I was working on my own college essays. To see these same characteristics in the students today was refreshing. To be a part of that process and hopefully help them achieve their goals was a moving experience.