Q& a with BK’S top SerVice hour earnerS

By Sarah Dicks, ’04

This year, four seniors were nominated for Helper Helper’s #BeAHelper Award. These seniors served in different ways for a combined total of 2,763 hours during their time at BK.

aryn moore

Aryn is our Mother Teresa Service Award winner, serving 928 hours with various organizations through BKHS and First United Methodist Church in Broken Arrow. Aryn leads Bible studies, VBS programs, retreats, and camps. Her heart for others continues to grow as she participates in more leadership roles.

What organization/ project did you work with the most? I worked with my church youth program the most. I have been involved with this program since I was born and became even more involved when I entered high school because I had more freedom to volunteer.

What did you learn from the experience that you would want to share with your fellow students? I learned the importance of gratitude and humility. Gratitude for what I am blessed with and for the gifts I was given in order to share with others. Humility for no matter how much in life I achieve, I am no greater than the ones who need my service. They are the ones who bless me because they allow me to serve them and love them in any way I can. oLivia shoFner

What does spending time in the service of others mean to you? Personally, I think time is one of the most valuable things we have, so spending that time in service means that you are giving up something that means the most in order to help others. Spending time in service to me means putting the good of others before myself and giving back in gratitude for the things I have been given.

What did you learn from the experience that you would want to share with your fellow students? I would share the impact it has had on my character. I think the more time I spent serving, the more I learned about how to treat people. I would also emphasize that the best way to be a leader is by serving. Servant leader ship shows others that you don’t have to lead in a harsh way but rather by demonstrating how you care for others. Basically, the amount of time you give up for others shows a lot about you and your character.

aBBy heFFernan

What does spending time in the service of others mean to you?

Spending time in the service of others is of mutual benefit. Not only are you helping others in the areas they need it most, but community service is one of the most rewarding things one can be part of. Even after high school, when I will no longer log my service hours, I whole-heartedly intend to continue to serve in a variety of ways because it gives my life purpose and shows how the gifts given to me are meant to be shared.

What did you learn from the experience that you would want to share with your fellow students? One thing that I would want to share with others is that it doesn’t matter if the entire world knows you serve, or no one; all that matters is that you have acted in a way that has made a positive contribution to someone or something that needed it. Community service is an extremely fulfilling experience, and even if you have completed your service requirement, I would encourage everyone to continue to serve, because there is always something that could benefit from your service.

Paige Minden

What organization/project did you work with the most and how did you get involved with this program? I volunteered with Puppy Haven Rescue, Unity Learning Academy, and Gaining Ground Literacy most often throughout my time at Bishop Kelley.

What does spending time in the service of others mean to you? Spending time helping others is how I feel fulfilled and important in this world. As I am deciding my major in college, I know one thing: I want to work in a position that helps make the world a better place. I could never sit at a desk and crunch numbers all day; I want to get out and serve the disabled, the marginalized, the poor, the homeless, the mentally ill, and the growing children of the world.

What did you learn from the experience that you would want to share with your fellow students? When we think of the poor, we think of the homeless on the side of the road. We need to stop being stuck in our own world looking at the stereotypical poor to see the struggle around us. You can make a difference, so be bold. It will ultimately make you feel happier and more fulfilled.

IT’S TIME TO WRITE A NEW STORY

Have you considered adding Bishop Kelley to your Legacy Giving Plan?

It can be difficult to slow down and consider the impact we are making on our community. Are you confident in your current retirement or estate plan? Is it time to do a check-up and find out what tax saving strategies you might be missing out on? The pen is in your hand. Now is the time to write a new chapter in your story.

The Advancement Group’s Legacy Giving Team can help you design a wholistic and unique Legacy Plan providing steady support for you, your loved ones and the charitable organizations you are most passionate about. Your legacy matters! Take the next step and give TAG’s Legacy Giving Team a call! They will be with you every step of the way as you unlock a brighter future for the charities you wish to support.

Call (918) 491-0079 or visit tagpg.org for more information today!