About a year ago, I wrote this article reflecting on what community service meant as a high school student. Particularly, I wrote from the perspective of an individual who did not feel like a true member of their local community after having lived there for only three non-consecutive years. Finding an online community of military-connected teens through Bloom was huge for me – and also how I met my service hours requirement for civics. I’m now in my second year of college, which is its own type of community. As treasurer for the student veterans’ association, I’ve been able to serve not one, but two communities that I am proud to be a part of.
Just like we have all been told over and over again throughout K-12, joining clubs is a great opportunity to get involved on campus and meet new people. One of the first major events of the year is the involvement fair, and the sheer variety of clubs on campus is astounding. As a freshman, I was hesitant about spreading myself too thin, but I did make sure to attend Veterans’ Association events. After going to a few events, our current president asked me if I would be willing to join the executive board as treasurer. College campuses may be second to military installations in turnover, so having three years of college left meant I could be a source of continuity.
I will admit that initially, the idea of being on the board scared me. What did I know about being treasurer or helping run a club? Sure, I felt like more of a grown-up now that I was at college, but not that much of a grown-up. However, I said yes, and I am so glad that I did. Just like with Bloom, everyone else was incredibly supportive and taught me everything I needed to know. After about two months into my tenure, I successfully submitted multiple purchase requests, and the association hosted the first event of the term. I am so excited to continue growing the association, whether through fun events or advocating for the military community on campus.
It is a different responsibility in comparison to being a Bloom blog writer, but the ultimate goal is the same: creating a space for all of us to share our experiences of military life and find others who can empathize. That can be difficult to achieve at a high school with a small military population, and it’s also difficult in college. Some of the challenges of military life have diminished, but the impact of growing up in a military family is never going to fade.
Drexel is home to me for the next three years. I think part of being truly at home somewhere is working to make it better: for yourself, those around you, and those who will be there after you. It’s what I have been lucky enough to find here at Bloom. As my time as a military teenager and Bloom writer winds down, I’m glad to have found a way to continue serving the military community.
College service experiences provide great value to troops like the thrill of the experience of serving and connecting with others creates a fun and rewarding atmosphere on campus!