By Kristina Kuryndina
Photo by Mr. Jeff Kuo

All throughout high school, you hear about community service hours. Teachers, parents, and classmates constantly ask if you have enough, and it can feel like those numbers define you—along with grades, GPAs, and test scores. For a long time, I thought that was what school was really about.

I’m a junior now, but in middle school I worried endlessly about grades. I cried over unfinished homework and believed that missing assignments defined who I was. Looking back, it’s hard to imagine how much weight I placed on something so small.

Everything began to change when I started volunteering. Weekend after weekend, I helped at a local dog shelter. During the summers, I volunteered at festivals and youth camps. Through these experiences, I learned lessons no classroom could teach—empathy, patience, teamwork, and self-awareness. These moments helped me understand what social-emotional learning truly means, not as a concept, but as real experiences that shaped who I was becoming.

That growing passion for service became the foundation of the BFS High School Service Club.

Through the club, volunteering is more than a graduation requirement. It’s a chance for students to express themselves through projects that reflect their interests and strengths. We take time to thoughtfully plan each event, focusing not only on helping others but also on how the experience will help us grow outside the classroom. From babysitting at the Navy Ball to keeping score at a volleyball tournament, every project allows students to contribute in meaningful and personal ways.

In a world that often measures success by grades and awards, I’ve learned that fulfillment can come from something as simple as seeing a cleaner space or knowing an extra set of hands makes someone’s day easier.

When I think back to the assignments I once stressed over, I can’t help but smile. Service has shown me that while academics are important, the kindness and effort we share with others matter just as much. Through Service Club, I’ve learned more about myself, built stronger connections with my community, and discovered the importance of grit and patience. As our club continues to grow, I hope we never forget that success isn’t about standing out—it’s about reaching out. And for the first time, I know what I want to be: a global citizen who wants to make a difference.