Personal Narrative: My Youth Group Leader Mr. Deitrick

My voluntary contributions have ranged from Boy Scout service projects to youth group outreach to NHS activities, however my most significant voluntary contribution was my Eagle Scout Project, which was completed in June of 2015. The project consists of a memorial rose garden surrounding the flagpole on the front lawn of Altamahaw Ossipee (AO) Elementary School. The garden stretches about an 8 foot radius around the flagpole, with eight rose bushes surrounding a stone path, an engraved memorial stone, and a garden bench, all surrounded by mulch. The garden is in memory of Mr. Elliott Faucette, the former PTA president of A.O. Elementary, who unexpectedly died of a heart attack in December of 2013. Although I didn't know Mr. Faucette very well,

I knew one thing for certain: Tennessee was a very stupid state filled with stupid people and I would never drink their stupid sweet tea. Thus was my twelve year old opinion.

Pastor Dave, or PD, as I knew him, was a loving, funny, honest man. He always put everyone before himself. Every time I needed a little pick me up, he always knew how to make me laugh and put a smile on my face. SHOW HOW HE DID THIS There were many activities he loved including the outdoors and softball. Every Sunday, during the spring and summer, he would be out on the ball field after church ready to win another softball game. He loved to be out there with many other men from the church including his own son. He loved being outdoors no matter if it was blazing hot or freezing cold. I remember going to his house in the middle of winter when it was snowing and

Church, temple, sanctuary, or the Lords’s house, these are just a few names that your average person might call the place you come to worship God, I have always called it home. The Church I have been attending, Memorial Baptist Church, which is also where I attend high school, I have been attending since I was the age of three years old. Moving to the area that my family lives in now, I do not believe is any accident. At the age of two years old, my father was stationed in Tennessee for the military. After passing away from brain cancer, my Mother moved my two older sisters and me to Killeen Texas, to be closer to her family. Memorial Baptist Church was the only church we have ever been members of since moving to Texas, it has always felt like

Camp Ozark and its partner youth group, Ozone helped me in high school to develop my relationship with The Lord and my purpose to serve Him. The leaders and counselors that I knew encouraged me and guided me as I got to know Jesus. They are one of my biggest influences in wanting to do ministry in college and after. My relationship with my dad was something that hindered my self-perception and my relationship with Jesus. We had a tough relationship, as he fought a lot with my mom and also dealt with depression. I had a hard time understanding God as a perfect father, but over time I have come to learn what it means to have a perfect Heavenly Father, one that loves me unconditionally and rejoices in me. I have always had high expectations for

My youth pastors Justin and Bob are people that I have always looked up to and wanted to be like. They worked for the middle school and high school groups so I spent a lot of time learning from them. I have gone on many trips with them such as backpacking in Yosemite, mission trips to Mexico, houseboating at the Sacramento Delta, and Snowboarding trips to Tahoe. They taught me so much from a young age about respect, and most importantly being a man of god. I feel like being around Justin and Bob as well as the rest of the church as helped keep me from getting into trouble and given me morals to live by. I still go to Carmel Presbyterian Church when I am visiting home and still really enjoy it even though I am back to sitting in the Sanctuary.

I relate to David story. I was the same way in school, couldn't stay focused, hard to learn. He was lazy and was just trying to get by. Once he got off to college he gave up. Growing up I did a lot of the same things David did. I was always wprried bout how my peers thought of me and I just wanted to fit in so I started falling behind. Did the minimum just to get by, Honestly I was lazy. Only difference is I didn't finish high school. Before senior year even started I was pregnant and couldn't complete. I was so sick it wasnt funny. I went back and got my GED thats the first thing I can say I accomplished. Went to college afterwards and its like history repeated its self. Wasnt focused, was worried about all the wrong things, eventually I dropped

There have been two major opportunities that have shaped and impacted me: serving with Calvary Kids Care and watching a girl’s cabin on Thursday nights at Camp Brookwoods and Deer Run. I started volunteering with Calvary Kids Care my freshman year in high school. The first time that I ever held a baby, I was terrified. I had no idea if I was holding her correctly, or if I looked as uncomfortable on the outside as I felt on the inside. The little ball of life that I held in my hands kept trying to snuggle closer, but I held the baby away from me, afraid that I would crush it if I let it get too close. This first experience led to many, and thus my partnership with Calvary Kids Care was formed. I started to work with the kids, mainly newborns

Throughout my adolescence, I have attended five different schools. They each had their pros and cons, but ultimately, I left each one except for Christian Brothers High School. For Middle School, I attended Lausanne; however, it became far too expensive. After Lausanne, I went to Germantown High School at the beginning of my Freshman year. This turned out to be one of my worst mistakes which, in turn, became one of my greatest failures.

It’s five in the morning as I rise, throw on some layers and mentally prepare myself to stand out in the freezing cold till eleven handing out water and gatorade to runners. Growing up, I always had the values of service and leadership hardwired into my brain from my parents and the Boy Scouts because of getting involved with them so early in my life. Now that I am older, I am beyond grateful for this upbringing because they are two very important values that are often overlooked or misinterpreted by many people. My biggest display of these virtues was my Eagle Scout Project and the fundraising for it that I performed in my sophomore year.

With every great person, there are others behind them supporting them. One person that inspired me was, Dr. Yvonne Thornton, her story reminded me of myself. For example; when she stated her father brought her a car so she would never have to get in the car with a male (something my dad did). Also her rabbit theory, which is the way my family taught me, never cheat, but always learn from the next whether dealing with life or school. My Aunt Brenda and Uncle Cliff also inspired me in many ways. All my life I saw them be nothing but the best, they taught me lessons of life, how to be better, and how to treat others. My Aunt and Uncle taught me always do better than before, never let anybody tell me I’m not good enough, only except or higher. I can honestly say they are great inspiration to me and what I strive to be in the future. My Aunt Brenda’s words of wisdom are; “Remember God is always first in your

As of 2011, my connection to the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization is through my big brother, Tom Griffin. During my free time, I enjoy playing my two favourite instruments, the violin and piano. These two instruments intrigue me because of their complexity and difficulty to play. Some of my hobbies include: maintaining my violin, creating electrical circuits and systems, photography and finally, troubleshooting and repairing everyday items. Maintaining my violin includes correctly positioning several key components that help with tone and correct sound transfer, tuning the strings, making minor adjustments to maximize its longevity, and cleaning the violin. I have always found that creating circuits from simple electrical components give

My second year of going to the Scott Reese Leadership Camp was the 25th year of the camp, and early on in the week we were all given a quarter dollar, a 25 cent piece, with instructions to find a point in time to take a moment aside with Doctor Scott Reese and give him the quarter with a congratulation on 25 years of a successful camp. During one of our lunch breaks, I walked up to the staff table, and with a glance I let him know I wanted to steal a moment with him, and he started to walk towards me as well. I had cleverly tucked my quarter into the palm of my hand, and as we got close I held it out to shake his, and as I flipped my hand over to drop the quarter into his during the shake, I told him “Congratulations on 25 years of this camp!” As I said this, I let go of his hand; I watched his face as he went from a look of confusion when he realized there was now something in his hand, to the brightest, happiest look you can see on a grown man’s face when he realized what it was, and what it meant. He didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t help but think back to how

After several years his family and mine became close and Pastor Travis always made sure to look out for my sister and I. He became a positive male role model in our lives and made sure that we did well in school and hung out with people who would also make positive impacts in our lives. Due to his involvement in my life I became heavily involved in my church and took on many responsibilities by the time I was in 8th grade. I also went on numerous trips with him and fellow youth group student's to places like Ocean City, Orlando, Rocky Mount,and Honduras. On each trip I evolved into a better version of myself and that was due to the expectations and values that Travis had taught me to hold myself to.

Interviewing several pastors can be eye opening in that you will begin to see different character qualities, disciplines and where they are in their spiritual journey. My intention was to interview several pastors, however, I was unable to obtain the responses needed to complete a study such as that. I did get to meet with one pastor, and I believe that it was truly difficult for him to answer most of the questions even after giving him some time to think about each question. My interview was with a very intelligent and spiritual man named Les Harvey. He is currently serving at the Church of the Highlands Greystone campus under many great leaders.