Kinsley High School
Kinsley, Kansas
Teacher: Dr. Galen Boehme
Extraordinary Communities
By Mikki Burcher
12th Grade
Once I clearly define my communities and realize their contributions to my life, I then can make a positive contribution in return.
To explore my communities, I first define community as a group of people who live in the same area who help each other. This help could be by providing support, entertaining, or helping others to survive. This definition leaves room for interpretation. Hundreds of different communities exist. Each person belongs to a sundry of communities, and he or she may not even know it. Almost every person belongs to at least seven communities: the world community, national community, local community, nuclear community (immediate family), extended nuclear community (extended family), ancestral community, and peer community. These communities play an important part in all their members’ lives, but each person will have unique communities as well. All communities are important in my life. My communities benefit me in many ways. I am a part of all seven communities listed above, and I have some communities that are unique to me.
The world community is huge. It consists of every living being on the planet. With such a vast domain, it is hard to feel a personal connection with the world community. I find, however, that the world community benefits me more than I could have ever imagined. With our current technology, not many homes are self-sufficient. So, the world community provides for my basic needs and my wants. I can buy food, clothes, and technology from anywhere (including China). If I were not a part of the world community, then some of these needs or wants would not be met.
My national community is smaller than the world community. It consists of those people living in the United States… but that is a lot of people. At this level, it is hard to feel a deep connection with every other member. At the national level, one trait makes me feel as if I know every other member -- our nation’s deep sense of patriotism, particularly since September 11. My national community provides me with a sense of security. I know that I am protected by our military. I know that my basic rights are inalienable. No other community offers this kind of security.
The people in my town are my local community. Since I live in such a small town, I have more of a connection at this level that someone who lives in New York City. A town provides its members with easy access to basic goods, such as groceries, and services, such as a doctor or a hospital. My town has benefited me in many ways. By giving me an education, a career, and other families to befriend, my town has helped to prepare me to move on to my next local community.
My ancestral community is my past family members – those who have gone to a better place. The only viable connection I have with these people is a spiritual connection. This community provides me with what I call “guardians,” because I know that my ancestors are watching over me and those dear to me.
Three of my communities are very similar; they vary only in whom they contain. The nuclear, extended nuclear, and close friends communities are very important to me. My nuclear community, or my family, is my mom, dad, and brother. My extended nuclear community consists of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. My close friends community… well, that is self explanatory! All three communities provide me with various benefits. They give me a sense of acceptance, belonging, and self. They provide me with a support system that is reliable and true. Companionship, compassion, love, and understanding are never absent within these communities. These communities are the foundation upon which I will build the rest of my life.
One of my many unique communities is being a member of the graduation class of 2006 at my high school. This community is irreplaceable, and unfortunately, will not always be as strong as it is now. We will be graduating soon, and the strong bond of friendship that we have will begin to disappear. My class has given me 14 years of memories, laughs, and friendships. Fourteen years together have taught me to accept all people, no matter their “social standing” or flaws. This lesson is one of the greatest benefits I will ever receive from my class.
In return for all the benefits I have received from my communities, I can in turn contribute to them. At the world, national, and local levels, the best way to contribute is to become involved. I can donate to charities, vote to ensure good leadership… care about others, help others. My nuclear family is always around. I cannot change them, so I must always remember that they are the most important. I contribute to my family by making time for them and by helping them. I must keep my anger in check when times become rough, and remember not to take my family for granted in times of [prosperity]. I can contribute to my extended family and close friends by providing for other members what they give to me: a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, or a hug to comfort. I can be a good friend, and most importantly, keep in touch when we are parted.
And then my special community, my class, demands my attention. My contribution to my class at present is by leading them as class president… and by being a good friend. In the future, I plan to contribute by helping to organize class reunions and by keeping in touch with as many members of my class as possible.
In conclusion, when discussing my communities, I must think about what a community is, how I benefit from my communities, and how I contribute to my communities.