Since we entered middle school it has been drilled into our brains that we need to complete 75 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours before high school graduation. The fulfillment of 75 SSL hours is mandated by Maryland for all public schools in the state. Maryland became the first state to create this mandate back in the fall of 1993. While many simply see this as another task to complete, I like to think about it as the perfect opportunity to get involved in the community.

As early as sixth grade I remember hearing how my friends were going back to our elementary school and helping our old teachers to get SSL hours. Not only were they getting hours but they were spending quality time with their favorite teachers and helping them out around the classroom. This experience gave them skills like communication and organization at a young age.

One of my best friends constantly talks about the valuable experience she gets from volunteering as a referee for little kids lacrosse. She already knows the fundamentals and rules of the game from playing it her whole life, and she enjoys the opportunity to help younger players make memories.

To tackle my own SSL hours I decided to become a camp counselor at the camp I went to when I was younger. By doing this, a number of other WJ students and I were able to become the older figures at camp that we always used to look up to. I also learned how to be a part of an organization and communicate effectively with my fellow coworkers.

With this being said, I believe that if you find something you are passionate about to get your SSL hours done, it will no longer feel like a chore but rather a fun way to give back to your community. If you begin volunteering with this in mind, you are bound to complete them in no time and learn many valuable life skills.