Margo - Supergirl of Volunteer Work
Margarita doesn't have to worry about who to sit with in the cafeteria. She spends her lunch hours going to meetings for Student's Council, Grad Committee and for the newspaper. Margarita says, "If it's a Friday my last class is spent at Vancouver School Board offices where we, as a District-wide Student Council, meet to unite the schools and work on multi-school projects." After school it's off to soccer practice or a game.
"My last year in high school has really proven to be like a dream come true, which of course comes with a really filled-up schedule. I'm VP of my school so there are always grad fundraisers (monthly flea markets) to attend and organize, as I am a part of the Grad committee. Our school has never had a student newspaper. I recognized the importance of having a student publication that would encourage students to get involved in their community and school by reading about what's going on around. I initiated a little four-page thing which has now expanded into a twenty page newspaper with a club of thirty people."
On top of all this, Margarita is one of the Web Designers for her school Web site. She's also a reporter for the Lower Mainland's Student Newspaper Youthink. As if she doesn't already spend enough time at school Margarita is also part of ROAR, a committee which deals with mutual respect between students and teachers. She also works with another school helping grade sevens with the transition into high school.
You'd think she'd use any spare time to kick back, watch the tube and eat her favorite ice cream (Cookies and Cream.) But there's always time for that later. Margarita also volunteers in her community. "I have volunteered in daycamps at the West End Community Centre. Now I am running a childrens program at the Coal Harbour Community Centre once a week for six to nine year-olds. I love working with children - they fuel me. The energy that they possess simply makes me more energized." Her favorite involvement is the West End Community Centre/Coal Harbour Community Centre Children and Youth committee, because they organize and decide on programs that are good for the youth in the community. They also organize holiday events for kids. Last Easter Margarita even got to be the Easter Bunny.
Why would a high school student want to spend more time in school than she has to and use her spare time to volunteer in the community? "I love knowing that what I am doing (even if it is brewing coffee for parents at the Breakfast with Santa) helps someone and is making the atmosphere of the society we live in that much more warmer. I think what most young people refuse to understand is that no matter how minor your cause is or your contribution is, the little things add up to a movement of global significance."
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