"Cancoming" by Elorm

"Cancoming" by Elorm - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

Last year, I was the Junior Class Secretary for my high school's Student Government. As members of Student Government, we each had to participate in some mandatory events. One such event was what we call "Cancoming."

"Cancoming" is a way for our school to raise money and food items for some of the charitable organizations in our community. At school, the Student Government members would go around to the different classrooms to collect donations for the cause. The event became a competition between the different grade levels and the individual homeroom classes. Outside of school, the Student Government kids would sit around in front of different businesses around our town and try to collect donations from people passing by. "Cancoming" is held during the month of December, so a lot of the times it was really cold outside when we were fundraising. "Cancoming" is a really great way to raise awareness for those in need in our community, and to get the community members to contribute to the betterment of our town. "Cancoming" generates a lot school spirit at our school and there is always a large amount of student participation. To show pride and gratitude for all donations the students end up contributing, the Student Government members hold a large pep assembly on the last day of school before winter break.

I am really grateful to have been a part of Student Government and to have participated in something so beneficial to others. I learned a lot about my community while fundraising, and I also learned to be more appreciative of the things I have that others do not. Even though I am no longer in Student Government, the values I learned from my involvement last year still remain with me, and I strive everyday to use those values to better myself and those around me.