Reflection

In high school, I found that one of my passions was organizing events and raising money for charities. I began to do a lot of volunteer work in high school through various clubs that I was involved in, however as I moved into executive positions I learned that I loved to plan and organize the events. Through my involvement in clubs within my high school I was able to watch and take part in planning homecoming events, school socials, and a variety of other events. From this, I developed a love for event planning. So, when senior year came along and I was extremely involved in executive office positions, including FCCLA president, National English Honor Society vice president, National Math Honor Society Secretary and golf team captain, I had the opportunity to tie my loves for event planning and fundraising together.

For instance, senior year my FCCLA chapter made the Leukemia and Lymphoma society our main philanthropy to which most of our fundraising went to. So, I helped to plan multiple events to raise money, like a spirit week, an orange out football game, a bake sale, and a penny war. One of my favorite parts of senior year was the night of the orange out football game. When I walked out onto the field I could see the student section wearing all orange with a banner in front saying “HHS & FCCLA loves the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.” It was amazing to look out and see the impact we had made, that all of those students were supporting us and a cause we found important.

By the end of the year we were able to donate $8,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of a freshman at our school with Leukemia. From the penny war alone we raised over $3,000, which was extremely impressive as we kept it wholly coin based. If you went to any neighborhood bank they would turn you away because they were out of pennies! That alone was enough to take my breath away. The entire community was so excited and involved in the penny war I organized that it is going to become a yearly tradition. I had teachers coming up to me and congratulating me on the success of the campaign, saying that it was the most they have ever seen the student body involved.

For me, this is what I love most about planning fundraising events. It is amazing to see people unite behind one cause. It was also amazing to see that yes; one person has the power to start something that can make a change. Of course I could not have done it all without my fellow FCCLA members and the community, but together we raised a lot of money that will go towards making a difference. We did that.

To continue with my passion of event planning and fundraising, I would love to attempt to incorporate it into my work. For now, I have joined a sorority whose main philanthropy is the children’s network hospital. I plan on getting involved in as many of the fundraising events that I can and eventually I hope to move into a higher position where I may help to plan some of the events we choose to do.

In the long term, I would love to open my own foundation. If I am not able to do that, I would at least like to design products that can be used for charity work or go towards resolving issues faced in our country and other countries around the world. Overall, I want to make sure that I use my talents and abilities to make a difference in someone’s life, maybe even the world.