Lessons learned through community service

By Rebecca Bell
MC Dean of Community Relations & Special Events

MIDLAND, TEXAS - “Midland College acknowledges that not all learning takes place in the classroom. There are also important life lessons that can be gained through experiences outside of traditional learning environments,” noted Midland College President Dr. Steve Thomas at the Fall Midland Legacy Essay Scholarship Luncheon on Tuesday, November 29.

Each semester students attend Midland College on Legacy Scholarships sponsored by the Abell-Hanger Foundation, the Helen Greathouse Charitable Trust and the Chaparral Foundation. In return for the scholarship that pays their tuition and fees, students contribute 40 hours of community service.

The community service component is the basis for the Legacy Essay Contest, sponsored by the Abell-Hanger Foundation. The purpose of the contest is to honor students’ community service and to let the students tell their stories of how community service has enriched their lives. This year, five of those students—Michael Anderson, Kelsie Rasure, Elisa Saenz, Louis Smith and Natalie Tolbert—received additional $500 scholarships for essays written about that community service.

During the November 29 luncheon honoring the students, Abell-Hanger Foundation Executive Director David Smith said, “One of the best things about the Legacy Scholarship is the community service requirement. This was the brainchild of former Abell-Hanger Foundation Board member John Younger. I think John suspected that students would gain as much from this experience as those whom they help, and this has definitely proven to be true.”

All five of the students noted the value of the life lessons they learned while fulfilling their community service requirements. Michael Anderson delivered meals for Meals on Wheels, a program administered by Community and Senior Services. In his essay Michael wrote, “In communities around the globe people underestimate the power and effect community service has on a person who receives the service or deed done. Community service can affect the volunteer in many ways that seem unimaginable until one actually experiences the feeling received from performing community service.”

Perhaps the thoughts of the students were best summarized by Elisa Saenz, who volunteered with Habitat for Humanity: “I learned to give of myself in a way that couldn’t be more satisfying. From picking up trash to painting, not a single hour was wasted, and the time spent with other volunteers made my experience even better. I believe that I was given more from the people involved than what I gave through the entire service. I’m truly grateful to be living in a community that continues to give back at every chance.”

CLICK HERE to read the Fall 2011 Legacy Scholarship Essays