High school students need volunteer hours for graduation, college applications and scholarships. Choosing an organization that aligns with personal interests and preferences is important, as the wrong one can make maintaining motivation difficult. Finding a good fit enhances commitment and engagement.
Holly Wang, junior, recommends volunteering at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary for those with a passion for nature or animals. At Busch Wildlife, Wang helps with garden clearing and education, allowing her to share knowledge and raise awareness about native species.
“At school, I am in JERFSA [Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy] and I spend a lot of time outside and raising microfauna in my bedroom, so I really like the connection to animals and nature that Busch provides,” Wang said.
For students interested in the ocean, Oceans First is a club that meets in room 07-206 and organizes beach cleanups. “Beach cleanups don’t even feel like volunteer work because being near the ocean makes me happy,” Noah Malloy, junior and the club’s Vice President, said.
There are many clubs to consider for students who like spending time with senior citizens. Interact Club offers various opportunities to volunteer in the community, one of them being visiting nursing homes. They meet in the cafeteria. Letters For Rose is different because, although they sometimes visit nursing homes, the meetings mainly involve making letters for them. Their meetings take place in room 4-118.
“[Join Letters For Rose] if you enjoy making a positive impact on people and helping others overall,” Alexis Michaels, senior and Co-President of Letters For Rose, said.
Glamour Gals is another club that focuses on helping the elderly, but it’s a better fit for students interested in cosmetics. In Glamour Gals, they focus on providing beauty services for seniors, mostly painting nails. They hold meetings in Portable 9.
Students who are inclined to help children can find an outlet in Kids Helping Kids. They are a club that volunteers at elementary schools and preschools, spending time with children by playing games and reading books with them. Room 5-215 is where they meet.
“I love building relationships with children and teaching them valuable skills,” Isabelle Haire, senior and Co-President of Kids Helping Kids, said. The club also helped her acquire experience with youth, which will benefit her in the future, since Haire’s goal is to become a pediatrician.
“It’s important that students volunteer in their area of interest because it helps them gain real-world experience, develop relevant skills and confirm whether that path is right for them,” Heather Woeber, Jupiter High School guidance counselor, said.
