I am 17 years old, and a senior at Harrison High School in Harrison, Arkansas, where I am a Golden Goblin cheerleader, member of the student council, National Honor Society, and Key Club.

I understand the value of volunteering and recognize that volunteers are a vital part of any community. My platform is called "Volunteering: The Spirit of America," and my goal is to not only serve as an example of what being a volunteer is all about, but to make others aware of the need for volunteers, whether it be visiting a local nursing home, or working with national organizations - such as the Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Every minute, every effort, and every dollar counts.

I recently graduated from the Boone County Youth Leadership program, which is sponsored by the Harrison Chamber of Commerce, the University of Arkansas, and the Boone County Cooperative Extension Service. Eighteen juniors from Boone County high schools are selected each year, based on a written essay, grades, community service, and school recommendation. Students from each school are required to attend classes one day each month on topics such as: community service, leadership skills, and getting ready for the real world. We were also required to plan and implement a community service project. My classmates from Harrison High School and I created a program called "Totes for Teens." We worked throughout the year to get donations from businesses to help us get 100 tote bags, and fill them with items teens might need when suddenly removed from the homes, due to domestic abuse, neglect, or violence. The totes - 50 for boys, and 50 for girls - contained items such as toothpaste and a toothbrush, deodorant, combs, school supplies, and even curling irons for the girls, were donated to the local CASA chapter to distribute when needed. We also rang bells at the Wal-Mart entrances and collected cash donations for CASA.

I am a member and volunteer for the Ozark Humane Society, and have volunteered my time and services to that organization since 2005. I worked various fund raisers and visited local schools to help raise awareness for the Humane Society and pet adoption. I have spoken at civic club meetings about the need for funding for the Humane Society, and the need to control the pet population by spaying and neutering pets.

In the summer of 2006, I served as a "Volunteen" at North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in Harrison. I worked in whatever capacity the hospital needed, but my main duties were to ensure the comfort of both patients and visitors by offering pillows, filling ice buckets, and offering reading materials.

I have also worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and helped the local foundation and school volunteers to send a Harrison High School sophomore with leukemia, and her family, to Disney World.

It is my wish that we all can contribute something to make the world a better place to live. Take a few moments out of your day or your week to visit someone who is ill, to help an animal in need, or to just make someone smile.