Zoey Ortiz

Backpacks for Kids is my high school's feeding program. Every week, I helped pack bags of food for students in need. Then, every Friday I helped deliver the food to our students in Pre-K, Head start, and Second grade. When delivering, I learned the importance of being friendly, because creating a shame free environment for the kids was one of our main priorities.

I was matched with a fifth grader and a second grader and met with each once every week throughout the school year. I was there to serve as a mentor, role model, and friend. This experience taught me how to effectively communicate and create an environment where students I meet with feel comfortable being themselves.

Involved meeting once every other week to help plan and collaborate on our next activity or fundraiser. Our biggest project every year was planning our school's Winter Formal Dance. Planning the dance included collaborating on a theme, choosing decorations, budgeting, and setting up the dance. Additionally, we held the Daddy Daughter Dance, had a fundraiser for UNICEF, and sold rosters at our football games to raise money for our club.