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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 13, 2019)
10A | SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS TEENS from page 1A “I actually like planning out my week in my head,” Sam said. “Then I have time to do stuff. Right now, I’m planning the Easter Egg Hunt at Miller Park this year. Interact members have been real helpful in helping me out. But, sometimes, when I have nothing to do, it’s get- ting everything together and figuring out my free time.” But getting to that point take’s practice, particularly if someone has never volun- teered before. “The first push is so hard to get people to start vol- unteering,” Nic said. “After getting people to get to the thing that they actually en- joy doing, they’re going to keep doing it. But it’s hard to get people to that point. They’re like, ‘Gee, I don’t know… That’s effort.’” And sometimes people like volunteering but haven’t found the right fit. “I know some things I did not like doing as much as other things,” he said. “Our Thanksgiving dinner we do for Kiwanis, I love doing that. It’s just customer ser- vice and handling food. But there are other times when I just don’t want to be there at all. Like the Rhody Run, when you’re just sitting there and waiting to give people hot chocolate. I don’t want to do that.” It’s all about finding bal- ance. “You could do the smallest thing and have it matter or do something way bigger,” Nic said. “It definitely helps your first time to go with friends, so you’re not alone at it. And then after that, once you find something you like, enjoy it.” So, what do the teens of the Siuslaw High School en- joy about volunteering? “We have brains” The reasons the four teens began volunteering were all different, but even more di- verse is what keeps them do- ing it. For Allison, it gave her a career path. “I really like kids, and I found that out when I helped with Boys and Girls Club,” she said. “That kind of pushed me towards want- ing to teach. And then actu- ally doing the tutor program has helped me communicate with people better. I wasn’t really good at that.” For Nic, it’s given him the opportunity to think about what he could become. “I’m the instructor assis- tant for the band right now. At first it started off with helping people with their in- struments and figuring out music notation. And now I’m directing a piece for in- termediate band and begin- ning band, just to see if I want to be a director in the future. So that’s a good thing to be able to do.” For Audrey, finding a vol- unteer opportunity to help her career isn’t really feasi- ble. “I want to be a Bio-Med- ical Chemist, making medi- cine,” she said. “I don’t think anyone would want a middle or high schooler in their lab. ‘What happens when I pour this in here?’” Nic started to laugh when Audrey asked him, “Remem- ber when Grace and I made acid on accident?” “Yes!” Nic said. “They Wilkinson said. “Sometimes workers that can be difficult, people stuff. So that kind of how “small town” the town were like, ‘Oh, if we want I’m bad at that. A lot of times as tutor and former Boys and got me thinking that maybe I is, and how well everyone just one thing to be there, we I’m bad at that. So even that’s Girls Club volunteer Allison want to be a teacher, so that’s knows each other, if we actu- can just evaporate the oth- helpful.” explained. helped me. I think that if you ally start working with each er thing.’ Well, they heated But the group also felt “I know a lot of the par- do volunteer, you can find other, doing events, and im- up the flask and it ended up that volunteer organizations ents, they think their kids what you’re passionate about proving everyone’s morale, becoming acid. Mr. Hard- could be doing more to get are always right. And I’m and what you want to do. So then maybe we can improve ing was like, ‘Take that away teens involved. like, ‘They’re not,’” she said. that’s really helpful. But I feel our town as a whole.” now.’ You’re going to kill us!” “You should really publi- That got the group laugh- like if I was in a bigger city, Morale in the city, in their For Sam, her job as a man- cize it,” Audrey said. “There’s ing again. there would be a lot more view, is on its way down in ager of River Roasters has a lot of events that go on, but “I got yelled at a couple stuff to do. If you have more some ways. helped her the most with her you never hear about them.” times by parents, and it re- stuff, like the mall or other “We have a lot of problems career path — things …” using a lot of things in ways “Because I’m Vo lu nt e e r- they shouldn’t be. And not getting more “I feel like with how small town the town is, and how well ism wouldn’t being a part of the commu- resp onsibi li- as im- nity and being bored. Just everyone knows each other, if we actually start working with seem ty,” she said. portant. some toxic parts. And I feel “Being one of each other, doing events, and improving everyone’s morale, “Same,” Nic like if we were more involved the managers then maybe we can improve our town as a whole.” said. as a community, we might has helped me, For Allison, lessen that,” he said. — Nic Wilkinson, because I’m “I’m used to a For him, “toxic” meant Siuslaw High School Senior small town. I drugs. going to go to college for like the tight- “There’s a lot more of that business. But knit commu- going on. If everyone cared being president of Interact She suggested that groups ally upset me,” Allison con- nity.” about each other more, we has helped as well, because it contact the school, which tinued. “I take everything to But that’s not to say that could really boost everyone’s helped me know how to lead can put “calls to action” into heart. Whenever people get everything in Florence is morale and support each in the best way.” their daily announcements. mad at me, I get really upset. perfect. other. It’s getting kind of “Definitely being a pres- “Or we could put it on the I think there’s two sides to “No construction!” Au- sketchy,” he thought. ident has taught me to talk boards that say what’s hap- every story, so hear both of drey said as everyone Most of the group didn’t in front of people,” Nic said. pening around the commu- them before you get mad at laughed. know if they would come “Having an agenda put to- nity,” she added. “Just make somebody.” The group wanted to see back to Florence after col- gether, especially for speech- sure, when you say it, that a new high school built and lege, as it was too far down es, is really important. Being you are welcoming and that more community events. the road. part of Builders Club and be- you want them to be there. “Leave a legacy” “Or just more community “I’m planning on com- ing the president of that has Make sure to emphasize, Everyone in the group involvement,” Nic said. ing back,” Allison said. “I’m really helped with my speech ‘Hey, your existence in this had plans to leave the region “They have the musical third generation born here. I and sometimes impromptu.” activity would be really im- once they graduate to attend festival they do, and the pa- really like the town. There’s Sam agreed, saying, “It’s portant to us.’” college. rades. But it would be nice to a lot of nice people. But like definitely helped me work And when groups do get “We love this town, but …” have more communitywide Nick said, there’s a lot more with people. Before, I wanted teens involved, they should Sam said. events, like something at the drugs going around.” it all my way and I would do be nice. “I was born and raised park,” Audrey said. “A whole While the city they leave it all. But now, I’ve learned “Giving the actual oppor- here, but I want to get out,” community grill-out. Just behind may still have chal- how to split up the jobs and tunity is really amazing, and finished Nic. something for the commu- lenges, the group hoped that work with everyone.” it’s greatly appreciated be- One of their plans to get nity to wander around, make they have left some good as “I have to talk in front of cause we’ve all been able to comfortable in larger com- new friends.” well. the entire school,” Audrey grow because of it,” Audrey munities is to try out volun- “Or heck, just a tailgate “Just knowing that you’re said. “Even during my junior said. “The only downside is teering. party for the Superbowl,” helping others. For me, I just year, I was really nervous when they treat you like chil- “I feel like there are so said Nic. like to see the people I help,” about it. But after doing it so dren.” many more opportunities Sam agreed, saying, “That Sam said. “Seeing a differ- much, I can talk in front of The group laughed in to volunteer in a big city,” would actually be really ence I make.” 400 people and I don’t care. agreement. Audrey said. “You can vol- cool.” Come next school year, It’s really nice.” “It’s like, even though unteer anywhere and find “And definitely have more Allison will be the only one “It kind of forces that stage you’re volunteering along- something that you’re inter- things during the winter for of the group left in town as fright away,” Nic added. side them, it’s almost as if ested in and find a place that the whole community to do,” she starts her junior year. Audry laughed. “Class they don’t see our time as does that. And you would Audrey added. “You guys are like, great,” presentation with only 20 being as valuable as theirs,” be getting experience and “Once the trees are dead, she told the seniors. “I can people? Easy.” said Audrey. “Just treat us you wouldn’t have to pay to we’re dead,” Nic said. tell there’s such a difference But some teens seem to equals. We have brains. We be there. Because I live in a But then he got philosoph- around this school. You guys not really get into the spirit came here to help, not to be small town, I feel like living ical. are going to leave a great leg- of volunteerism. degraded. Scoffing when we in a city is going to be kind “We have a lot of people acy.” “I feel like some people come in? Not appreciated.” of sketchy. I want to make in the community that just As for the people Allison just join clubs so they can Wilkinson nodded, say- friends with the people who don’t think about the com- will leave behind in two have it on their resume,” ing, “We might be teenagers, volunteer instead of the munity in general. We have a years, she said, “Put yourself Sam said. “So when they are but we have at least one brain people who do nothing and small amount of people who out there. There’s something in the club, they don’t really cell. There are ones where watch TV all day.” do whatever they can for the for everybody. Everybody want to do any of the ideas they’re like, ‘Okay, you go do To survive the terrors of community, and everyone has something they’re pas- that we want to bring up. Or this now, and I’m going to go the big city, stick with people else is trying to pay their sionate about. If you can find the volunteer activities we here.’ I’m like, ‘I understand you know. bills and not think about the a way to put that into volun- have, they don’t want to be a how this works, thank you.’” “The city is kind of sketchy community. I feel like with teering, do it.” part of it.” “That’s happens a lot,” Sam to me,” Nic said. “There’s a And for many other teens said. lot going on. The nice thing at Siuslaw High School, vol- “The craziest thing for me about this town is, not only DENTURE SERVICES INC. unteering just isn’t that im- is that it’s usually not the per- is volunteering feels good to LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED portant. son that is actually planning you, but a lot of people ap- Open 4 days a week! “Maybe it’s just a few the event,” Audrey explained. preciate it. Because we’re a handfuls of kids that are “It’s usually other volunteers. smaller town, those sorts of Here to serve your denture needs: doing a bunch of different The vibe that I get is that things can get recognized. clubs and different activi- they’re really proud of them- But in a bigger city, every- Dentures ties,” Audrey said. “And then selves for volunteering, and thing is so come-and-go, you Partial Dentures William Foster LD everyone else just tries to get when they see younger kids, barely know half the people Immediate Dentures Sherry, Offi ce Manager through high school.” it kind of intimidates them, who live there. That’s weird Implant Dentures “As a denture wearer myself, “And there’s nothing and makes them think that for me to think about. I don’t Relines & Repairs Same Day I can answer your questions and address wrong with that,” Wilkinson they’re guilty.” know if I would volunteer if your denture concerns.” Monday-Thursday said. Sam added, “And it’s usu- I wouldn’t even know the ~ William Foster, LD Audrey agreed, saying, “I ally the people that volunteer majority of the people there. 10am - 2 pm Financing: Citi Health Card 12 Month no Interest think it’s good that not ev- at multiple places, and that’s I don’t know what I would 524 Laurel St. eryone volunteers. If every- what they do — just volun- do or who I would help, or 541-997-6054 one did volunteer, then it teer.” anything like that.” would just be really chaotic. “They put themselves on a Was Nic scared of moving There would just be so many throne,” Wilkinson said. to a city? people trying to do one “It’s just really weird,” Au- “Kind of! Roseburg and thing that it would get com- drey said. “It happens one or Eugene are okay. But just petitive, and you would kind two times every time I vol- the thought of even living in of lose that feeling of going unteer, usually. But most of Portland scares me,” he said. to help someone. It would the people are really nice and “The people, the traffic. It be more going because ev- they’re really helpful, and just scares me.” eryone else was doing it, and they want to know all about “I don’t know if I would,” you want to look good.” you. You just make connec- said Allison. “When I start- “Some of the people that tions, and it’s really fun.” ed tutoring, I realized I like I appreciate in Key Club are Sometimes it is not just co- helping people and teaching the people who don’t go out and volunteer, but are willing to give ideas for volunteering, and putting it in their mindset, and help with the planning,” If an emergency happens in your community, 240 HOURS Is your family prepared? it may take emergency workers some time to reach you. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 240 hours. Buying or Selling? I can help. 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