Salina Som
Class of MMXIV
Service Leadership
Community Service
Community services that I am doing are Junior Achievement (JA), a service club, and National Honor Society (NHS) tutoring.
Junior Achievement
For Junior Achievement I teach at different elementary schools on Friday morning. I am currently trained in first grade and kindergarten. With different grade levels we teach different lessons.
The first graders lesson revolves around Jobs. This includes what a volunteer is and the difference between needs and wants. We differentiate that a need is what a family needs to survive, while a want isn't necessary for a family to survive. At one classroom, a student kept insisting that video games are a want, rather than a need. Further reasoning had to be explained to convince him that a need was something a family needed to survive, and that a video game wasn't needed to survive. During the lessons, my partners and I also explain why a high school diploma is both a need and a want. We stress to the kids the importance of obtaining a high school diploma.
The kindergartners lessons involve money. They are taught the value of money, and how to earn, spend, and save money. My partners and I read five separate stories that have corresponding activities to go along with the lesson of the story. Students are taught different types of coins: penny, nickle, dime, and quarter. They are also taught how much each coin is worth and how to count them. We taught that twenty-five cents could consist of twenty-five penny, two dimes and one nickle, or one quarter.
From teaching through Junior Achievement I've got another chance to revisit elementary schools. I get the opportunity to teach young children and make a difference in the community. Since Junior Achievement goes to difference schools every time, I get to teach at various schools around Pinellas County. While teaching, the children are welcoming and love our presence. At the end of the day, I feel like I'm making an impact on young minds.
National Honor Society Tutoring:
I tutor various subjects to other students that attend St. Petersburg Collegiate High School. I am currently tutoring in mathematics (Trigonometry, MAC 1114 & Pre-Calculus, MAC 1140), English II honors, and chemistry (General Chemistry II, 2046 & Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 2210). I often teach online math in Mr. Walch's class, but I am available to teach chemistry in the mornings. Teaching other students is a win-win for me. I get to help another fellow student, while also helping myself. When I explain a problem it helps me remember the processes to solve the problem. Students teaching other students gives a difference approach to the one receiving the help. It offers students to learn from a peer who may be able to explain it in a different way than the teacher or professor could.
Filling out Certificates for JA
Projects:
Interact
We decided to raise money to purchase cookies for people at homeless shelters or nursing homes. To raise up money, we have contacted Barnes and Noble, proposing to wrap up gifts. The money obtained through tips will go towards the cookie funds.
 Apsara Crown |  Me wearing traditional Khmer clothes |
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 SPIFFS parade |  KYA Dance troup |
 Cambodian booth team! |  Thao & Me |
 KYA dancers |  SPIFFS_Me.jpg |
Khmer Youth Association
In 2012, I was a driving force in brining Cambodia back to SPIFFS through Khmer Youth Association. KYA is a nonprofit student run organization that aims to unite the Khmer youths of this area as well as ignite interest and excitement in Khmer culture.
At the SPIFFS 38th Annual Folk Fair, I volunteered my time working November 1st-3rd at the Cambodian booth. There I taught elementary, middle school, and high students about Cambodian classical musical instruments, traditional dances, famous Khmer artist, and the history of Cambodia. Most students who came to our booth didn't know that Cambodia was even in Southeast Asia. I felt that I taught hundreds of students, teachers, and the public about Cambodian culture.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to wear traditional Cambodian clothes and march in the parade. People where fascinate at the Cambodian clothes I wore at the booths, some even asked to take photos!
Service:
I believe that service to the community is important. Volunteering time and effort to better serve the community is what America needs more of. Organizations that need volunteers to accomplish projects are often short on volunteers. Serving the community and leading it at the same time is something everyone is capable of doing. People in leadership positions need to fully understand the responsibility before assuming the position. Those in leadership positions need to know how to effectively lead a group. Leaders need to be open to other opinions and remember that their not a dictator. Don't be afraid to take up a leadership position . Run for office in a service organization or club. Make your voice heard on which services interest you. I plan to run for more leadership positions in the future so I can better serve the community.