Paoli High School
Paoli, Oklahoma

Teacher: Melinda Alfred

My Personal Role In My Community

by Jani Bittle

12th Grade

 

I live in a small town called Paoli, Oklahoma and have lived here for most of my life. I have seen our community flourish and grow to become a nice town. I love living here, but if I want my community to remain a good place and become better with each passing day, I must do my part. My community is capable of being the greatest around so I must become responsible and help out in every way possible to make this happen.

           

As I drive through a large or small town I can usually tell if the residents take pride in it or just shirk their duties and stop caring  about what it looks like and what happens there. This is a sad thing to think about when I realize what it probably took to start it. The generations of today have a hard time realizing the importance of keeping our community safe and thriving from day to day. Many towns aren’t fit to live in because of violence, vandalism, and lack of attention.

           

Problems exist in every town. Not everyone in my small town is willing to do extra, but some are. In my town we have volunteer fire fighters. I think that it is a great thing that someone would volunteer time to do a job like this without pay. The firemen that get paid to fight fires do the same thing as the ones who don’t get paid. The only difference is some are getting paid to put their lives on the line and the others do it out of love and care. If more communities would have more volunteer workers, jobs would get done and we would also feel good at the same time. Not all towns would be able to do this, but those who are able to should.

           

It is important for me to find out what I can do in my community and take on the task of helping out as soon as I can. Just as our volunteer firefighters, I need to be a volunteer also. It is not all about making money, but about the difference that will be made. Money will not last forever but a good deed will. It is not hard to find something to be involved in if I use my imagination. I think a good idea would be to help out an elderly person during the holidays or anytime I am available. I would be willing to bake a pie or make something for someone so they would feel needed during the holidays. Many older people in my town do not have a family to go to during Thanksgiving and Christmas. If for some reason I would not be able to bake something then I could send a card or go by and visit. I may never know what one good deed may do for someone in need.

           

Improving the quality of life can mean many things. It can mean changing a life or making someone’s day better. These things aren’t hard to do but I just need to take a little extra time. Maybe I could miss going to town one day and stay home to talk to a person that I know is feeling down that day. Later, if I  am mowing my lawn, maybe I could step across the street and mow my neighbor’s yard while I am at it. My neighbor may not have time to mow her lawn because she is busy taking care of a sick family member.

           

I also think that making suggestions to my town leaders would help me get an idea about what needs to be done in my community. As I am talking  to them maybe they could tell me what needs to be done in some of the areas in my town. They could probably tell me things that I could be involved in that I didn’t even know about. They may want some flowers planted in the park or something may need to be repaired that I am capable of repairing. I could also water trees or help clean up the cemetery one Saturday. Some things that seem so small to me are usually the most important assets about a community. If I am willing to take suggestions and be helpful then it may encourage others to take the time to try and make a change also.

           

These are just a few things that are on the surface of helping out in my community. Being involved goes much deeper than just doing things for my town. If I can help the residents, then in turn my town will become what it needs to be. If the people here are able to work out the problems in their personal lives, then they will be better equipped to work out the problems in my town. Someone has to step out  and be the first one to start making my community worthwhile. I am willing to be that person.

           

Whatever it takes I need to wake up each day with a goal in mind for my town and its inhabitants. I am tired of seeing good things in my town go bad because of lack of interest and care. I can’t change my town on my own. That is why everyone needs to make it their personal responsibility to see this job gets done. The seeds that I am planting may not grow while I am still living here, but, one day it may be that I will get to see the benefits of my work. If I don’t, then generations to come will live in a great town because one day a small seed was planted that grew into something that will stand the test of time.     

 

Answers To Questions

 

1.) Investing in Manus and the U.S. are similar, society tries to provide help for marriages that are rocky and also new marriages.

 

2.)

years married- 3           how many times- 1       advice- listen and communicate

years married- 5           how many times- 1       advice- be honest and forgiving

years married- 15         how many times- 1       advice- be patient and understanding

years married- 3           how many times- 1       advice- don’t speak your mind at wrong

years married- 10         how many times- 1       advice- don’t tell the other their faults

years married- 2           how many times-1        advice- give compliments; don’t be negative

years married- 6           how many times- 2       advice- cherish your time together; be happy

years married- 42         how many times- 1       advice- love them for who they are…

years married- 11         how many times-1        advice- share your problems…

years married- 30         how many times- 1       advice-love them no matter what

 

3.) To know what will be the best decisions in the years to come and if the next generation will be able to make them

 

4.) To help in times of trouble and to get along and work towards new goals together

 

5.) It is sad because kids should not have to be without their mother or their father. The parents should be there at all times