Beautify CNMI! and various other community groups encourage students from various schools and their respective clubs to join and become volunteers.
Angelo Vilagomez of Beautify CNMI! said community service can really “help you get into college. You will be competing with students in the mainland and I know that there are some high schools, mine included, that require community service to graduate.”
Beautify CNMI! has worked with other clubs, such as the JROTC and National Honor Society.
“It helps build a sense that they belong to the community, and basically we all do the regular stuff as of right now, clean ups, tree plantings, and finally painting over graffiti,” said Villagomez.
Most teens say volunteer service is not as boring as it may seem.
“The average text message reply you receive from a teenager is ‘I’m bored,’ or ‘I’m doing nothing,’ they should channel their energy into service. There’s a whole ton of choices out there. Frankly, it’s not as bland as it sounds,” says Marianas High School senior 17 year-old Jayce Jurado.
“I do cleanups and volunteer jobs with various organizations. It’s not only a plus to the community, but it also creates a tight bond within oneself for doing service for the people,” she said.
Jurado is also an intern with Pacific Telecommunications Inc.
“Aside from volunteering as secretary of MHS’ National Honor Society, I’m spending most of my time working as the Human Resources intern at PTI. I’m busy at least six days a week, so it’s been a pretty fulfilling summer,” she said.
Jurado has also done theater service by performing in various plays organized by the International Thespian Society.
“I’ve also done service through the International Thespian Society. I’ve acted in plays and I would say that there is some sort of intellectual allure in most of the things I do,” said Jurado.
“I would say that it’s a mature experience of growing up from your childhood and taking on responsibilities which the service and my job changed that,” she finally says.
Jurado will be graduating her senior year next summer and is planning to study in the field of psychology
“I hope to make some difference, even if it’s just a small gesture.”
