PTSA Reflection
I became a member of the Parent Teachers Students Association (PTSA) in my freshman year of high school. The PTSA is a volunteer association where parents, educators, and students collaborate to support the needs of their schools and community. My mom has been a member of the PTSA for as long as I can remember, and I knew they were so instrumental in creating so many special moments for the communities they served. We find our days saturated with commitments, however it is so crucial to devote time to giving back. The action of volunteering is a key catalyst for fostering cultural balance in our communities. Each year the PTSA would sponsor “Sunday’s with Santa”. It was a venue for deprived children to come together in a unified setting hosted
by Santa himself, and of course there were presents, and games for their enjoyment.
Sunday’s with Santa is my favorite annual event, occurring during my favorite time of year! I would always volunteer, and each year I would always meet new student PTSA members. I viewed it as an opportunity to create new relationships under the banner of a common purpose, minimizing the regular social awkwardness you might feel by attempting to cultivate a conversation in the confines of the high school.
It was my third consecutive year volunteering for this event. As a reward for my consistency the choice of service was mine. I selected the face paint table. It is one of the most popular activities, providing an opportunity to work with both boys and girls. A senior that I did not know was also assigned to the table. I would see her occasionally, however I never shared any classes with her; nor had I a specific reason to initiate a conversation. You see, she dressed somewhat differently, and appeared very guarded. She followed the Muslim faith; her attire I would brand as ultra conservative, as so her demeanor. In the beginning there was not much in the form of conversation except for a simple greeting. I was very curious and interested in stimulating a conversation. If the evening would progress as in years past the opportunity for an intimate discussion would be highly unlikely. I would not be comfortable approaching her in a different setting, but here, now, we were on the same platform, and a conversation just seemed natural. As faith would have it on this Saturday evening, inclement weather rolled in causing difficulties for the expected volume of children to attend the event, but this circumstance did offer me with the window I hoped would present itself. In a bold, but polite way, I asked her why she would volunteer her time to help bring a celebration to a Christian belief, and her response to me was simply, “we are all part of the same community.” As unexpected as her answer was to me she was right. She was very enthusiastic about engaging in a conversation about the traditions of her faith, essentially helping decipher the true teachings of the Quran as opposed to the extremist views that populate the media outlets. She provided a very sensible explanation and debate for the dehumanizing methods of dress for women living in Western cultures. She was just as eager to learn and understand the Christian traditions. I actually viewed it as a sign of respect for our culture that has helped transform my perception of the Muslim faith.
I was grateful for the opportunity to make a new friend, a friend that remains a part of my life.
by Santa himself, and of course there were presents, and games for their enjoyment.
Sunday’s with Santa is my favorite annual event, occurring during my favorite time of year! I would always volunteer, and each year I would always meet new student PTSA members. I viewed it as an opportunity to create new relationships under the banner of a common purpose, minimizing the regular social awkwardness you might feel by attempting to cultivate a conversation in the confines of the high school.
It was my third consecutive year volunteering for this event. As a reward for my consistency the choice of service was mine. I selected the face paint table. It is one of the most popular activities, providing an opportunity to work with both boys and girls. A senior that I did not know was also assigned to the table. I would see her occasionally, however I never shared any classes with her; nor had I a specific reason to initiate a conversation. You see, she dressed somewhat differently, and appeared very guarded. She followed the Muslim faith; her attire I would brand as ultra conservative, as so her demeanor. In the beginning there was not much in the form of conversation except for a simple greeting. I was very curious and interested in stimulating a conversation. If the evening would progress as in years past the opportunity for an intimate discussion would be highly unlikely. I would not be comfortable approaching her in a different setting, but here, now, we were on the same platform, and a conversation just seemed natural. As faith would have it on this Saturday evening, inclement weather rolled in causing difficulties for the expected volume of children to attend the event, but this circumstance did offer me with the window I hoped would present itself. In a bold, but polite way, I asked her why she would volunteer her time to help bring a celebration to a Christian belief, and her response to me was simply, “we are all part of the same community.” As unexpected as her answer was to me she was right. She was very enthusiastic about engaging in a conversation about the traditions of her faith, essentially helping decipher the true teachings of the Quran as opposed to the extremist views that populate the media outlets. She provided a very sensible explanation and debate for the dehumanizing methods of dress for women living in Western cultures. She was just as eager to learn and understand the Christian traditions. I actually viewed it as a sign of respect for our culture that has helped transform my perception of the Muslim faith.
I was grateful for the opportunity to make a new friend, a friend that remains a part of my life.