Kinsley
High School
Kinsley,
Kansas
Teacher: Dr. Galen
Boehme
Making a Contribution
By Megan Habiger
12th Grade
I can make a contribution to improve my community by promoting individualism, service, and respect.
A
community is a group of people living in the same area that share similar
beliefs.
Individualism is a necessity for any community to be successful. Individualism
is when people in a community strike out on their own. These individuals may
make certain technological or even psychological advances for the community. The
American constitution protects the individual rights of all the United States
citizens. These rights have contributed to many of the great changes that have
happened throughout history. Martin Luther King Jr. and the women’s rights
activists were strong believers in individualism. These people all embraced
their rights as Americans to use free speech. All of these people were
individuals; they strayed away from their community, only to return later with
having improved the place they care about. In my community I strive to promote
individualism. I commonly participate in my youth group and other community
activities. When I participate and share my ideas with others in my community, I
am helping change my community for the better. Although individualism is a very
positive trait for a community, it can have drawbacks. If a community has an
overabundance of individualism, the community will never survive. If all people
in the community keep to themselves and make no effort for outside contact then
no community exists.
Single communities also need to be open to outside influences. The United States is filled with millions of different communities; all of these communities depend on each other for support not only economically but also psychologically. As the world evolves it takes the small communities along with it. As long as individuals and communities are willing to listen to each other and to themselves happiness can be found for all the residents. For a community to be a good and pleasant environment a balance involving individualism needs to be found.
Service is what all communities, large or small, depend on. All people should be involved in their communities. Being involved helps people to create a sense of pride among themselves. Volunteers make a huge difference in communities. When people take the initiative to re-landscape a park, or to clean up a lake, they change the community. Volunteers help to improve their surroundings not only for themselves but also for all the people they share their community with. When volunteers improve their communities, people from other cities notice the change. Volunteers help others to be involved, when the number of people participating increases; the amount of work that will be done also increases. I find that being involved in my community helps me to connect. After I have worked on a project or helped at an after- school program, I feel much closer to my community. When people become involved they learn respect and responsibility. These two traits are very important to have throughout one’s entire life. If one knows how to be responsible he or she will have [an advantage over] others who are not responsible. Employers are looking for people who will take charge and be able to handle a work load. Institutions are an important part of any community. An institution is a society or corporation, of public character. Institutions are what help a community to earn money so changes and advances can be made. People in a community need to support their institutions. In small communities institutions can support the entire town. The institutions provide jobs and a good source of income for most of the families living in the community. If the people in a community do not support their local institutions, the people could seriously hurt their economy and community. Volunteers and institutions make the world rotate, and help to evolve our entire system.
Respect is essential for a community to thrive. One of the main areas that deserves and demands respect is history. As our communities live, change, and grow, we all must remember where and what we came from. Americans in general have a wide ranging history and background. These differences are what make the United States unique and special. As Americans we have embraced the differences between people from all nations; we accept different races openly. The reason that our country is successful today, is because of our beginnings. Even in our smaller communities history is important. In our towns and cities we all take pride from our origins. Most people feel a strong sense of pride about their homes, and the people they shared the town with. The United States started as a very small group of people. These people shared the belief of a better place to worship freely. Religion is another aspect that all communities must respect. Religion is part of what makes up each and every person. Although religion among people differs, we share many beliefs. In all communities acceptance and respect should be very important. In my small town we have many different religions. In order for my town to move on and evolve, we all have to put differences behind us. My community has accepted and embraced the differences among religions, and this acceptance has paid off. As a Catholic I believe that all people should be treated how I would want to be treated. This theory has served very usefully to me throughout my life. Almost all people believe in justice and equality. Many people share the difference between right and wrong. Although everyone’s definition of good and bad differs, deep down most people believe in the greater good.
In conclusion I promote individualism, service, and respect to help better my community.