Joanna Schoonover
2022-23 Grace Erline Memorial
Girls Gone Great Scholarship Recipient
Class of 2023, Colonel Richardson High School, Federalsburg, MD
“The comforting aroma of pasta and garlic bread filled my family’s small kitchen. My stomach grumbled; I had spent the whole afternoon making a huge pot of delicious, cheesy ziti. But the dinner wasn’t for me or my family. Instead, it was for the thirty-odd houseless adults and children residing at my local homeless shelter.
Throughout middle and high school, making dinners for His Hope Haven homeless shelter became a monthly routine. I loved connecting with members of the shelter: physically– through providing food– and emotionally. Knowing someone is thinking and caring about you is as warm of a feeling as a full stomach.
My volunteer work for His Hope Haven continued this past summer, when I ran a pajama drive at my church for the shelter. With the congregation’s help, I donated over sixty pairs of pajamas to His Hope Haven. While delivering the pajamas to the shelter, another volunteer was teaching a class on obtaining jobs. This led me to realize that there’s so much more I could be doing for the community- I had been so stuck in my own bubble of solely making dinners and hosting a drive, that I didn’t grasp other ways I could make a difference.
I decided to apply this lesson to other volunteer jobs, such as one I’m doing with my school’s chapter of National Honor Society. This spring, we are making a “Colonel Closet,” filled with hygiene products, water bottles, and other necessities students can easily access during the school day. At both His Hope Haven and my school, communities are working together to help their members, laying a firm foundation for strong connections and friendships.
I find greater connection with others through the Golden Rule: if I were in a similar situation as someone else, what would I need or want? The Golden Rule has assisted me in other volunteer work, including my role as a Shotokan karate instructor at my county’s recreation and parks center. When I first started this position, I had a lot of trouble connecting with students, especially those who were younger. My biggest issue was sharing my knowledge in a way that made it learnable for everyone of all ages. But I remembered what it was like to be a student, and what worked best for me- analogies, steady and thorough work, and patience. The most memorable example of this was when I noticed a new student felt shy and unfamiliar in the class, emotions I certainly experienced when I first started karate. I worked one-on-one with her a lot, encouraging her to break out of her shell and try things outside of her comfort zone. In turn, doing so taught me that taking things slow, especially in an unfamiliar setting, is more than okay. This student taught me the value of patience and persistence, especially regarding how hard work pays off: she soon broke out of white belt, earning her next rank. At the same time I taught this student, she also helped me in growing my teaching skills and outlook on patience.
Community presence allows connection with others, thus empowering learning. Because everyone has different experiences and perspectives, there is always more knowledge to attain. If it weren’t for my experiences in volunteering for His Hope Haven and Caroline County Recreation and Parks, I never would have grown as a person, nor would I have learned from shelter volunteers or karate students. My volunteer work has taught me that no matter how wise or how experienced I think I am, there is always something more to learn.
Whether through community members or elsewhere, I love learning as much as I can about the world around me. I plan to attend Shepherd University with a major in history, intending to eventually work as museum curator or archivist. Through a career such as this, history can be preserved and taught for future generations, building empathy and understanding. Furthermore, at Shepherd, I intend to establish a Shotokan karate club focusing on self defense, in continuation of both my teaching and learning. It is also my aim to join a student organization, such as Ram Pantry, where members are able to serve the surrounding community. After college, I plan to continue my education in graduate school, seeking a degree in library sciences. Along with a career as an archivist, I’d love to be a school or children’s librarian, so I can continue teaching and making a difference in my community.
My volunteer service and growth will not cease upon high school graduation. Seeking connection with those around me has enabled me to grow as an individual. I’m eternally grateful for the lessons my experience in community service have taught me, and I can’t wait to continue my work after graduation.”