Paloma Silvera

Participating in Letters of Hope with the Pre-Health Society was a heartfelt and meaningful experience. Writing letters to hospitalized children reminded me of the power of kindness and human connection, even from a distance. It was humbling to know that a few encouraging words could bring comfort, hope, and a smile to a child facing difficult times. This experience deepened my commitment to compassionate care and reinforced my aspiration to enter the medical field.

In the Frost Museum in the Key Biscayne Community Center, I was able to help present their new "Just for Me" program. This program is designed for special needs kids of all ages. As a volunteer, I was in charge of playing games with the children related to science. This activity was a great experience because I was able to promote the importance of science and impact the lives of these children. My favorite part of the event was playing and interacting with Tony, one of the kids who was there. It was a wonderful afternoon full of joy and laughter.

Being a volunteer at the Discovering Hope Gala was an incredible opportunity. My role was to greet and check in each guest. Through this volunteering, I learned more about the Sebastian Strong Foundation and its support for pediatric cancer research. Hearing the story of the foundation and from cancer warriors like Jake was touching. Additionally, I helped check out items from the silent auction and organized and put away things at the end of the event. Finally, this event was inspiring and connected me to many people who share the same purpose of fighting against childhood cancer. It helped solidify my goal of becoming a doctor in the future.

This year, during the Padron Day of Service I had the opportunity of walking around the neighborhood by picking up trash and contributing to making our community a cleaner and more beautiful place. It was an awesome opportunity where I felt that I was making a meaningful impact, not only in the surroundings but also in the lives of those who live here. Additionally, through this opportunity, I connected with other passionate individuals who shared the same purpose as me, to give back to our community. Finally, this experience deepened my understanding of the conditions within my community, motivating me to continue working for a better and happier community.

In the Back-to-School volunteering event with Commissioner Higgins, I assisted with distributing the supplies. At the event, I connected and interacted with many kids from the Little Havana area and promoted the importance of education. It was a great event where we were able to promote the meaning of community and help families minimize the cost of buying new school supplies. Finally, my favorite memory of the event was seeing the children happy with their backpacks.

Participating in the Live Like Bella 5K was an incredibly rewarding experience where I had the opportunity to contribute, cheer, and connect with other students who shared the same passion for the cause. As a volunteer providing water to participants along the course, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment knowing that I was directly supporting and encouraging those taking part in the event. Witnessing the determination and resilience of the runners and walkers as they pushed themselves to complete the race was truly inspiring. The atmosphere was filled with positivity and solidarity, reminding me of the collective strength and resilience of our community. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who were all dedicated to making a difference in the fight against pediatric cancer was truly inspiring, and it reaffirmed my belief in the power of coming together for a common cause.