Newell-Fonda High School
Newell, Iowa
Teacher: Mrs. Doonan  

What Community Is To Me
By Nathan Miller
12^th grade

The love that family members give and the support of friends are both examples of community.  Community can be found in many different places from many different people.  Everybody feels community in different ways, but none are wrong.  To me community is shown all over, from all over the world, to the United States, to friends and family.  I believe different people show it in different ways, such as a hug from a family member, or a benefit for a person in need.  Community is a great thing that everybody has and should be grateful for.

One community is the world community that is shown in many ways.  One way that it is shown is through the helping of certain countries in need.  …In Africa where AIDS is a big problem, many celebrities from the United States are trying to raise money to help….  Importing and exporting is also a big part of community.  It brings countries together by using each country’s [unique] resources to [trade]. 

The national community is another.  After September 11 the national community came together…mourning for the people that were killed and trying…to help the families of the victims.  Another part of this community is the patriotism that a lot of people show.  The support [for] the troops and flying of the flag are all forms of being patriotic.  Also having a democracy is a big part of this community because it allows the people to vote for [those] they want in office, and…vote for other things that affect them.

The coming together to help a…family or people in need is an example of [what happens in]…[a] local community.  This was especially [true] in our community just recently when a family lost its home and [personal] belongings in a fire.  The community came together to help this family at a chili supper benefit.  Also, in a local community everyone knows everybody…so they look out for each other and make sure they stay out of trouble, and stay safe.  Friends are located in this community to.  I believe friends help make people feel community in more ways than one.

In the nuclear family, community is felt by things like eating supper together, or parents going to their kids sporting events.  Around Christmas time community is felt strongly in the nuclear family.  Everybody in the family gives each other presents and everybody receives presents.  Also if somebody is in need of money they can always go to a member of their nuclear family to ask, and more than likely they will get it.  Another example is they are always willing to help, if someone is in need of help on homework, somebody in their nuclear family will step up and help them.

In people’s extended family, community is shown as well.  If someone is in need of a place to stay, their extended family is always a good option, and more than likely they will let them stay.  They are also very caring and some offer gifts on birthdays or around holidays.  Another way community is shown in the extended family is when a loved one dies.  The extended family…comes together to console and comfort one another in these tough times.

…If it weren’t for ancestry things wouldn’t be done in the same ways for people’s families as they are today.  …[Ancestors] have passed down certain things from generation to generation.  …People get their looks from their ancestors.  Also, ancestors give people something to be proud of, whether they’re Irish, German, Swedish [or] whatever.  Each one has something to be proud of.

Friends always give people something to laugh at or make them smile when they’re feeling bad.  They are always caring, helpful, and fun to hang out with.  [When] people need a shoulder to lean on, their friends are always there.  Also if [people] are bored they can always call up their friends to do something.

The last community that I have is my football community.  During the football season we spend a lot of time with each other, at practices, games, and in the weight room.  Everybody has each other’s back.  If they have a bad game, we’re there for them.  If they mess up we’re there for them.  During the off-season we also spend a lot of time with each other in the weight room, at agilities, and at the 7 on 7 tournaments.  I believe football has also made me into the person I am today by teaching me discipline, taking responsibility for my actions, and doing what is right.

I have a great community, and I am thankful for it.  It has helped me grow as a person and has always been there for me when times were rough.  Also it has shown me some great times, and I’ve had a lot of fun with the people that show me community.  Overall, I am grateful for every community that I have and what it has given me.

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