Community Service at YMCA

For my required 20 hours of community service, I chose to do something with kids. I looked around, and after I heard that East Cottonwood Elementary (which was my elementary school as a child) had an after school program, I decided to give "Miss Kayla" a call.
I first started going in the beginning of April, and I'll admit that it was different at first. The kids were loud,
I was really quite tired after school, and I also brought my friend Mason along so he could finish his community service as well. I would have headaches and need to leave earlier than I planned on staying. YMCA was from 2 to 6, and for the first couple days I didnt stay the full 4 hours like I wanted to.
But after working with my headaches, I got to really interact with the kids and have fun.
For the first week that I went, I only went to the 3rd to 6th grade room, with Miss Kayla. I got really attatched to some of the kids in there, specifically a couple of the little girls because they reminded me so much of myself at that age. I used to be quiet and shy, and was very sensitive to criticism. I became good friends with Jenna, one of the 4th graders that was there most of the week. She would swing with me out on the swing set and although she was shy with everyone else, she seemed to warm up to me quickly.
The last week (after a few requests from the littler kids) I decided to go to the Kindergarten through 2nd grade class room with Miss Jenny. It was astounding to me how quickly the kids grow, It was so different compared to Miss Kayela's room. The kids were far more outgoing, and took so much joy out of little things that I myself have forgotten about. I really connected with the whole group, but I will say the best part of the whole experience was meeting Sarah. She's a 2nd grader at East Cottonwood, and although all the other little girls flocked me, asked me funny questions and pretty much competed for my attention, Sarah just sat there and colored. For some reason, since I was shy at that age, I felt the need to reach out to her. I sat next to her and colored with her, and after she got to know me, she talked to me like I had known her forever. She was a big sweetheart and in all honesty I've decided that when I have the extra time I'll go visit the kids at the YMCA. Sarah and all the other kids seemed really depressed when I left that Friday, and in all honesty, I was depressed too.
Going there was the best and most rewarding choice I've made in a long time. After spending time with these kids and getting a chance to remember what it was like at such a young age, I finally feel like I can let go of being a kid and move forward into adulthood. I had so much fun playing with beads with the girls and putting legos together with the boys. Both Jenny and Kayla mentioned how much they would miss having me around. Although I don't consider it work (I had so much fun!), this was the best experience I've ever had. It's funny to me how at first community service seemed like an inconvenience, and now it seems that it will be the first thing I think about when I reflect on my senior year at West Valley. Aside from the countless pictures and crafts that I took home as gifts, I took home memories that I will never forget.

Pakistan Educational Issues

This could immensely affect the rest of the world. First of all, this sort of ignorance
is inexcusable. It affects countries around it, and the religious schools that are in Pakistan
are potential breeding ground for possible terrorists. These religious schools condone sexism and
violence in the name of Allah. I think that the reform attempts for these schools were pathetic, and I dont understand why the US is the only country who wants to get involved. These religious extremeists are potential terrorists against MOST countries, not just ours.
Britain teaches their women too, and so does Russia and other countries.

I think that until Pakistan can get rid of the Taliban themselves, we should have no involvement and cut ties with them completely.