I have been an active volunteer for the Coronado Schools Foundation (CSF) from 2017 to the
present. Through this experience, I have learned that meaningful change often begins with a
simple idea—and the willingness to act on it.

Coronado public schools receive approximately $1,700 less per student than many districts under
California’s funding formula. To help bridge this gap, CSF was established in 1982 to provide
exceptional educational opportunities for all students in the Coronado Unified School District.
CSF funds vital programs such as art, STEM, music, field trips, and hands-on learning
experiences—programs that might otherwise be reduced or eliminated.

In 2017, when my brother Jack and I were in elementary school, we noticed that some of our
favorite programs at Village Elementary were being cut. During a conversation at the dinner
table, we decided we did not want to simply accept those changes—we wanted to help.

That weekend, we launched our first small business, selling orange juice, coffee, and donuts on
the beach boardwalk. Every weekend for two months, we woke up early and set up our stand.
Over time, we gained regular customers and learned valuable lessons about problem-solving,
adaptability, and perseverance. We learned how to pivot when supplies ran low and how to better
communicate our mission to potential customers. At the end of those two months, we donated
nearly $1,000 in profits to CSF. That experience showed us that even as third- and fourth-grade
students, we could make a meaningful difference.

Over the next nine years, our efforts grew into “Jack and Grace’s Pop-Up Stand,” a collection of
small businesses dedicated to supporting CSF. We operated 19 concession stands at major
community events, sold seasonal goods at Artisan Alley, 92118 Day, and the Coronado Flower
Show, ran a summer paddleboard rental business, and launched a yard card business during the
pandemic. The yard card business became our most successful venture, completing 242
installations celebrating milestones for local families over five years.

In total, after more than 2,000 hours of volunteer service, we raised and donated over $50,000 to
CSF through Jack and Grace’s Pop-Up Stand.

Beyond the financial impact, this work strengthened our community. Our businesses brought
people together, supported local events, and reinforced the importance of investing in local
education. As I prepare to graduate in June 2026, I recently transitioned our yard card business to
a current sophomore at Coronado High School so future students can continue supporting CSF
and building on what we started.

Since September 2025, I have deepened my involvement as a CSF student intern. I attend board
meetings, assist in the office, and contribute to discussions about future funding challenges. This
experience has given me insight into nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and the power of
community-driven efforts to sustain critical educational programs.

In addition to my work with CSF, I have been committed to service projects that directly support
women and girls. As captain of the Coronado High School Varsity Girls Tennis Team, I
organized initiatives such as assembling 200 toiletry bags for a women’s shelter and leading a
clothing drive for homeless women in our community. These experiences reinforced my belief
that service is not only about meeting immediate needs but also about restoring dignity,
confidence, and hope.

Volunteering has shaped who I am. It has taught me that leadership is not about recognition but
about taking initiative and lifting others up. I have seen how small actions—like an orange juice,
coffee, and donut stand on a boardwalk—can grow into something that creates lasting impact.
Most importantly, I have learned that change begins when people choose to act—by showing up,
taking initiative, and remaining committed to a goal regardless of their age or circumstances.
This understanding has shaped who I am and will continue to guide the choices I make in the
future.

The strongest elements of this essay are the measurable impact (2,000 hours, $50,000 raised, 242
installations), the long-term commitment, and the progression from a child volunteer to a
nonprofit intern and community leader. Those details make the story memorable and compelling.