Community ServiceI have always been involved in groups that carry out community service projects. In fact, I was recently elected Vice President of Public Relations for the Student MOVE group. We are a group of 12 people who make up the advisory committee to all community service organizations on campus, but we organize many alternative activities and events. I even did a service-learning project for my Spanish class last semester with Cynthia Wells. I attended Spanish mass every Sunday and was a receptionist. I learned about their culture and rituals while attending the regular Catholic mass. After learning that I had to complete a service-learning project for ethics class, I immediately began brainstorming ideas. I decided to work on a website for the Esprit De Corp group because they couldn't find anyone to do it. However, I ended up getting paid, so it didn't work out. So I had two backup plans. My first thought was that I was going on an AWOL trip for spring break. AWOL stands for Alternative Offsite Learning Weekend. We spent a week in Denver doing various community service projects. It was a week of community service, but that wasn't done in Iowa. So I took it upon myself to do Storm Lake a favor. One day after mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Father Klein approached me. He asked me if I would help him by leading a confirmation retreat for 90 juniors from Storm Lake who would be confirmed in a few weeks. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to help the community and maybe even help myself spiritually. AWOL Trip to Denver I was one of twelve kind-hearted people who took an AWOL trip to Denver, Colorado. We worked in various locations including...... middle of paper...... Denver. It's a priceless moment that money can't buy. Working at the Confirmation Retreat at St. Mary taught me how to carry on my faith as a Catholic. The church is a non-profit group, just like any other non-profit group here in Storm Lake. I have to say that helping people my age is very different from helping children. I didn't have the smiles like when I worked with the children. However, I received a ton of self-congratulations while giving the confirmation speech. I also understood motivation better. I'm pretty intrinsically motivated. I don't need money, bribes or incentives to work. I can motivate myself to help others with personal satisfaction. I really enjoyed the service-learning projects I participated in. I wish more professors would encourage their students to extend their learning beyond the classroom and into the community..