Should High School Students Be Mandatory Community Service?

In order to be part of a humane and civilized society, giving back to the community is important. While preparing students for the future, High School is also where they learn to become a global citizen. One of the major ways to involve young adults in community activities is through volunteerism. In order to truly fulfill the education the school system promises, students must continue to volunteer in their community and carry on their strong quality of life for more generations to come. As a result, organizations will be benefitted and students will take on a new sense of responsibility. High school students should be required to complete certain hours of community service because it will help develop new skills, create a healthier society,

When working on campaigns and getting to see real-life results, students will discover how their actions can make a difference within the community. There is only so far books and classrooms can take you to, as there is much more to education than learning facts written in a textbook. Education is learning how to live life selflessly by giving back. Unfortunately, it seems that younger generations are unaware of what takes place around them. However, students sometimes need an extra push to reach out to their communities. This can all be fixed by volunteerism, as it will undoubtedly broaden their visions and allow them to become better citizens by helping out those who are not as fortunate. Next, helping those in need will certainly create a better environment in the community for everyone. In 2013, 62.6 million Americans volunteered to help their communities, 7.7 billion hours of service was produced, which had an estimated value of 173 million dollars (https://www.livingtreecharities.org/value-of-volunteer-time). Volunteer activities bring people together who might not have had contact with one another without the help of the project they devoted themselves to. Accordingly, volunteering often plays as a bridge for different parts of the society to connect and help different social sectors out. It is firmly believed that reaching out to the less fortunate will teach others to be grateful for what

By participating in community activities, it is proven that the skills taken from volunteering link to what students learn in school. According to Blair Student Service Learning Coordinator, Robert Hopkins, "The greatest part of SSL (Student Service Learning) hours is that students learn transferable skills that can be applied to a variety of unique situations" (www.legacy.com). Through elementary, middle, and secondary school, students learn about natural disasters and environmental issues in the world, as well as biodiversity conservation and endangered species. For example, a student with a distinct interest in the environment will test their knowledge to the limit when they volunteer with organizations such as the Ontario Environmental Directory or the Lake Ontario Waterkeeper Association. Even when activism is not directly connected to schoolwork, students learn universal practical skills like the importance of helping out their community members when they feed the homeless or help clean and construct for natural disaster victims. By completing this requirement, students also acquire the opportunity to volunteer in fields they are interested in--allowing them to experiment with possible career paths. Besides learning valuable life skills, volunteering may lead to a part-time job opportunity. If students prove their