On Oct. 30, 20 representatives from different local organizations visited UHS to inform students about their respective initiatives and contributions to the community. Topics range from domestic violence to environmental protection, these diverse organizations offered a great opportunity for students to connect with their community and engage in civic activities.
The tradition of Make a Difference Day was established before COVID-19 when the Social Science Department hoped to expose students to more hands-on opportunities. Although the pandemic halted the event, it was brought back last year and has continued with great success. Mrs. Oakes, a social science teacher who was responsible for coordinating speakers, commented on the purpose of Make a Difference Day.
“We want students to understand that this is something actionable they can do and connect with these organizations,” Mrs. Oakes said. “The idea is to encourage students to engage in civic activities and allow them to understand that they have the power to make a difference and contribute back to their community.”
Many students found the opportunity informative and enjoyed the speeches by the representatives. They reported that it offered them insights about our community that they wouldn’t have known otherwise. Junior Visha Nachiappan, who attended Bolsa Chica Conservancy, an organization focused on ecological sustainability, talked about what she gained from this experience.
“I really enjoyed the various community speakers that came and spoke,” Nachiappan said. “It showed the programs the organizations do and offer to the youth, making it very informative.”
The opportunity also inspired many students to follow in the footsteps of these community leaders. Junior Chloe Xiao commented on how empowered she felt after meeting with the representative from Orange County Bird of Prey Center, which focused on raptor conservation.
“I got to meet with people who were very passionate about what they were doing, which motivates me to pursue my passion as well,” Xiao said. “It also makes me realize how important community service is.”
Junior Clarice Xu noted that the opportunity allowed her to gain valuable insights into the complexities of current issues, such as discrimination and violence covered by the UCI Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Students felt encouraged to contribute to these causes when presented with available resources.
“I was impressed by the resources and information regarding support available for addressing such issues and it left me with a deep appreciation for their commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive environment,” Xu said.
One particular organization, Cell Dogs, attracted many students’ attention as they got the opportunity to interact with rescued dogs from local shelters.
“I really like the idea of having trained dogs helping people who need support and assisting them to embrace a better life,” junior Paige Jiang said. “Everyone got the chance to sign up to volunteer if we wanted to devote our own effort to this meaningful program.”
With the plan to continue the tradition in the future, students also provided some suggestions that they felt could improve the overall experience of Make a Difference Day.
“I hope that it will expand beyond just our social science classes,” Xiao said. “This can give students more opportunities in diverse fields to participate in the event.”
Students also hoped to gain insights from various organizations, not just one. If implemented, students can become well-informed in every aspect of civic engagement.
“If we had the opportunity to visit not only one organization but multiple, it would be more effective,” Jiang said.
In essence, Make a Difference Day proved to be highly beneficial. It served as a refreshing reminder to students that their small actions can make a big impact in our community. As the tradition continues, students are encouraged to find a field they are passionate about and start contributing to these initiatives that make our community a better place.
