My last day volunteering in McNamara went great and I could not have asked for a better way to end it. There were activities going around the school and the students were very busy in getting things done. Mr. Renfro was helping the students out with a song. They were practicing this song because they were going to perform it and it needed to be well done. I got the chance to meet the dance teacher of McNamara, which came out to be a professional dancer that is in a company called Dance Force Productions. I really found this fascinating! The students kept practicing the song and they were having a lot of fun, because not only were they singing, but they also had a choreography. I was helping the students stay on beat with the music and cheering them up into performing better each time. The time went by fast, and when I realized it was almost time for me to leave. It was a sad moment because I had already created a bond between me and the students. The students told me good bye and gave me a hug. I felt like crying of joy because they showed how much they appreciated all the time I had given to them, and all that time I will never regret. Being in CIS gave me a new perspective of how to look at life. It taught me how to appeciate what is here for me. I would not change this experience in my life for anything because I found it really rewarding!

CIS

I had another opportunity to volunteer in McNamara Elementary once again. It brings to me melancholoy to know that the time to stop volunteering is almost here, but at the same time I'm glad I got to see the students once again. On Tuesday, there was an activity going on in the elementary called "Dare to Dream", which is a program to help boost the students' self-esteem and put an end to bullying. The students were making posters for the program and we helped out. They explained to us what the posters were about and they seemed really excited because they were presenting the topic to us. One of the students that was there was very energetic and then later she told me that she had ADHD. I kinda figured it out at first because she was very talkative and had a lot of ideas in mind. When she was talking to me, I knew she was glad that someone was actually listening to her and I was happy to know that I was the reason for her smile. While helping the students, we also got the chance to talk more to them and they made me laugh a lot with their stories. The students made my day because they made me have a great time and I also noticed how well they respect one another. It is really fascinating how students their age treat one another with respect and this makes me realize that they are setting an example for everyone. I feel really comfortable around them because as they learn from me, I also learn from them.

CIS

Last Wednesday I had the wonderful chance to volunteer again in McNamara Elementary, but it was a special day because Mr. Renfro held a lunch for all the volunteers. When I arrived there, the appreciation lunch was already going on and I I was welcomed. The names of the volunteers were called out and we received a certificate and an applaud from the audience. Mr. Renfro gave a speech and I realized that we make a great impact in the lives of students. The students are happy to see that someone that they don't know actually cares about them. It feels wonderful to know that we make a a difference in a student's life. We are there to support them and let them know that they are important. Then lunch was served and I ate. The food was great and the atmosphere made feel comfortable. After the lunch was over, I helped out kindergarten students with their homework. I really enjoyed tutoring these students because they are so sweet. Right before the after school program ended, the students danced and I had a lot of fun watching them smile and have fun. This week should also be a fun week because we are starting a garden!

CIS

Last Wednesday I went to volunteer again in McNamara Elementary School. It was a great experience because I got to meet and interact with different students as well as with some that I had already met before. The students were very excited to have us there again and it made me feel welcomed because even though they are young students, they still know how to appreciate our time and effort. We started the volunteering by taking the students to the restroom and then we started tutoring them. While I was tutoring the students, another student that I had helped the week before, came up to me and gave me a drawing that she had made for me. The drawing was beautifully colored and the student said, "Thanks for being here." I was joyful to see the impact I have made in the students' lives already, even though I had gone to volunteer a couple of times. Next week, on Wednesday, McNamara Elementary School is having a lunch for the volunteers to appreciate our presence. I am very excited to attend this lunch and I will continue to volunteer even after this. Even though this experience is not done yet, I feel that it has changed me and the students of the elementary.

CIS

Last Wednesday, I finally had the chance to volunteer in McNamara Elementary. I volunteered for a couple of hours tutoring students in science, math, and english. The tutoring took place afterschool  and the students seemed really excited to have us there. They participated eagerly and asked questions about their homework. The experience went very well and I am really looking forward in making it even a greater experience next time.

I am very excited to volunteer for the first time in McNamara Elementary school this Wednesday. We got an email from the CIS from that elementary saying that we could start volunteering this Wednesday. We are going to volunteer for two hours in the afternoon. We are going to start off by tutoring students in different areas they are having trouble with, especially with science. I am really looking forward to Wednesday!

CIS

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit the school that I am going to volunteer in. The school is McNamara Elementary School. It was a great experience to walk around the school in order to become acquainted with the campus. I am very excited to tutor students in science and we are also going to start a garden project at the elementary. Before I start volunteering, I have to get trained and hopefully that will take place the week after spring break. I am really looking forward to this experience.