Julian Augustus
A.H. Parker High School YouthServe community service
“The reason why I do community service is that it is powerful and needed. It provides change for people. The more people that get involved in change, the better our communities become. I have done over 500 hours of community service as well as attending high school. I have been, among other projects, working and cultivating a neighborhood garden with YouthServe in partnership with Jones Valley gardens. The idea is to provide better nourishment than processed foods to people who usually can’t afford to buy fresh vegetables. It really brightens the lives of people in this community. Next year I will attend Berea College in Kentucky. I would like to study political science, sociology, history and philosophy. I see myself working for the government and serving my country and continuing community service as well.
“My soapbox is to remember who you are, remember where you come from, remember the people that you know, what it means to smile at someone, to be happy and what it means to give your time to another individual. Don’t allow yourself to be changed by society’s views or other people’s views. Don’t let yourself feel unimportant, because you can make a difference even for yourself. Remembering yourself is a very important lesson. If you remember yourself you also remember what is really important: family, friends, and community and that only you can be you.”
—AS TOLD TO BEAU GUSTAFSON
