“You realize: Wow, we’re doing something amazing.”

“YOU REALIZE: “YOU REALIZE: WOW, WOW,

WE’RE DOING WE’RE DOING SOMETHING SOMETHING AMAZING.”AMAZING.”

EVERY YEAR, Kent Place students of all ages volunteer for dozens of local organizations in their own time, outside of school hours.

When Kent Place magazine asked students this past spring to describe what motivates them to give back this way, we were flooded with responses: powerful stories about the way these volunteer experiences have allowed them to learn new things, explore their identities, and make connections with others.

In the pages that follow, they share those stories in their own words. We hope you will be as inspired and moved as we were.

BY ERIN PETERSON | ILLUSTRATIONS BY JULIETTE BORDA

“I KNOW THE HARD WORK BEHIND THE SCENES IS WORTH IT.”

Diana Reig ’24 volunteers for the Latoya and Joe Dawkins Miracle Child Foundation.

The foundation I volunteer for provides support to those struggling with infertility, a topic that resonates with me because I’m an IVF baby. My parents have told me the stories of the mental and physical toll it took on them, and they still remember the pain of the bias and ignorance they experienced. As a volunteer intern, I spend a lot of my time researching and creating posts to spread information about infertility and increase awareness around the topic. I get satisfaction from putting out my finished product for people to see, and reminding people who are struggling with infertility that they’re not alone.”

“VOLUNTEERING REMINDS ME THAT I’M A PERSON, NOT JUST A STUDENT.”

Serena Zheng ’23 sells artwork through her own website, the Portraits Project (theportraitsproject.org), to support a variety of causes.

I sell artwork and do commissions, but instead of asking for payment, I ask for proof of donation of any amount to any charity of the buyer’s choice. My favorite part of the process is seeing the happy reactions of people when they receive the artwork they “bought.”

“YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT SOMEONE IS GOING THROUGH.” “I SAW HOW MUCH HEALTHCARE WORKERS WERE STRUGGLING.”

Emilia Wheatley ’22 is a member of the Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad.

As EMTs, my crewmates and I respond to 911 calls requiring medical assistance. These calls range from lift assists (when someone falls and can’t get up) and simple transports to the hospital to stabilizing patients after a car accident and performing CPR. We never know what each day will bring, but I always try to remember that it can make the biggest difference in someone’s day to show kindness and respect, no matter what.

“PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK ME, ‘DO YOU HOPE SHE FAILS?’”

Julia Messerman ’24 raises and trains dogs for blind and seeingimpaired individuals for the Seeing Eye puppy-raising program.

Currently, I’m raising Eleanor, a black Lab–golden cross. I received her when she was seven weeks old and will raise her until she’s around one and a half years. I work with her every day to make sure she’s obedient, attentive, and well behaved, and I attend bimonthly meetings with instructors and other puppy raisers and their puppies. We take excursions on trains into New York City and go to restaurants, sporting events, shops, and the mall. This gives the puppies exposure to different sounds, smells, and environments.

People always ask me, “Do you hope she fails?” I tell them, “If I wanted her to fail, I would’ve just gotten a pet dog.” I hope she goes out and changes someone’s life.

Once, when I was in Boston with my family, I saw a woman being led by a black Lab just like Eleanor. The harness identified the dog as being from the Seeing Eye. I went over to the woman and introduced myself as a puppy raiser. She was so happy and thanked me for all I did. I watched her cross a busy street in downtown Boston with her friends and her guide dog. I knew that would be Eleanor one day, and I felt such pride.

For three years, Mira Nirula ’29 has sold jewelry and other items to support various charities.

During COVID, I made maskholders and started to sell them by word of mouth. I was surprised by the interest so I made more and more, eventually reaching $500 in sales. I decided to make a donation to Feed the Frontline. My favorite part of the process was making the actual donation, because I like to imagine what the money will do or who it will benefit.

“THIS IS WHERE I’VE SPENT EVERY SATURDAY FOR ALMOST EIGHT YEARS.”

Karla Perdomo ’22 works at the New Jersey Food Bank.

I started out helping to distribute canned goods to people experiencing food insecurity. Patrons have watched me grow from not being tall enough to see their faces as I handed them cans when I was nine years old to being able to remember their names when they walk through the door every Saturday and ask about their families and lives.

“IT’S SUCH A HIGH WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE CHANGE YOU’RE MAKING IN REAL TIME.”

Sophia Gandhi ’25 is founder and president of the Campaign for Gender Inclusivity, an organization in the process of becoming a nonprofit entity.

As an individual who’s a member of the LGBTQ+ community in more ways than one, this activism feels personal to me. I’m very proud of one of the first fundraising events we held, selling handmade bracelets and earrings to raise money for a transgender individual to receive gender-affirming care. There was a great feeling of accomplishment with every sale we made and every donation dropped into the jar. Counting out the money we raised and sending in our donation was a feeling like no other. You realize: Wow, we’re doing something amazing.”

“I CAN’T SOLVE ALL THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS, BUT I CAN DEFINITELY HELP.”

Ellora Roberts ’28 earns her own money to support different nonprofit organizations every year.

When I was in elementary school, we had a research project to study a charity with a partner and give a presentation about it. My friend and I researched Feeding America. I instantly loved everything about it. Ever since I did that project, I’ve been interested in helping the community.

Sonali Kamilla ’24 and Ava Zinna ’24 volunteer with Envision Dance Exchange.

SONALI: Working with differently-abled kids and young adults has taught us how to navigate communication with many types of people. We all get to express ourselves through dance, no matter our physical abilities. AVA: For me, the best part is getting to perform, when I walk on stage and get to see my partner’s face light up. That shared joy is special.

“BEING BILINGUAL HAS OPENED MANY DOORS FOR ME.” “VOLUNTEERING HAS TAUGHT US THAT DANCE IS FOR EVERYONE.”

Julissa Beltran ’25 volunteers as an ESL tutor for the student-led nonprofit Apréndalo.

I consider myself a native Spanish speaker, having grown up in a Spanish-speaking household. I use my knowledge to teach English to students who live in Paraguay, Colombia, and Argentina through the organization Apréndalo.* I’ve sought advice from my advisor, Upper School Spanish teacher Dr. Medina, who told me, “Don’t focus on the technical; focus on the talking.” It’s a privilege to be bilingual, and I want to use this skill to help others.

*Apréndalo is a popular option among Kent Place students; other volunteers are Sophie Capone ’25, Sophia DiSarno ’25, Isabelle Embden ’23, Anna Gambuzza ’25, Aila Kennedy ’25, Maya Lalani ’25, Sophie Levin ’22, Cassie Miller ’24, Katie Tan ’24, and Kaitlyn Wang ’25.

READY TO SERVE AT KENT PLACE

“Community service has always been a critical component of the Kent Place experience,” says Upper School Community Service Leader Mary Carter ’23. “There’s never a shortage of opportunities to help others.”  Mary has supported student activities such as making and distributing meals for Bridges, an organization that helps those who are experiencing food and housing insecurity. Another popular activity is the cake sale; this year, proceeds benefited families in Ukraine. “We value our traditions, but we’re constantly adapting and changing to focus on the issues that matter to us,” Mary says.  At the end of the year, the (dining) tables are turned as members of the faculty wait on student volunteers at the ThankYou Breakfast.