“I believe that contributing to one’s community is a significant necessity,” says Christopher Joseph Boudreaux Jr., a senior at Archbishop Rummel High School.
Boudreaux had the opportunity to go on a service summit to Philadelphia in the summer of 2013. The Dream Team of service set out on a mission to Lasalle Academy to help 90 at-risk elementary school youths. One day, while everyone was swimming, Boudreaux noticed one little girl staying in the shallow end. After talking with her, Boudreaux realized that the girl knew how to swim, but didn’t have the confidence to swim further to the pool. After working together for the rest of the swim session, the little girl became more confident with her swimming. At the next swim session, the little girl was swimming by herself
“Watching her having the time of her life swimming by herself was all I needed to reassure myself of the impact I can have by just giving my time to others,” says Boudreaux.
At school, Boudreaux is involved with Student Council, Ambassadors, Operation HeadStart, Big Brothers, football and baseball. Operation HeadStart is a service club through Rummel that volunteers with at-risk kids to educate them on the importance of reading and sportsmanship.
“Being active in organizations has allowed me to mature and appreciate the little things in life,” says Boudreaux.
For the past four years, Boudreaux volunteered to work with Angel’s Place with Operation HeadStart by helping with their Christmas party. At the party, Operation HeadStart provides food, music and fun for everyone. The students dressed up as Disney characters and Santa Claus to deliver presents to the kids.
Boudreaux says, “This act of kindness may be the only present some of these guests will receive for the holidays. By hosting this event we allow the parents and children to take their minds off of the hardships that come with illness.”
Mark Firmin, a teacher at Rummel, is an adult that took Boudreaux under wing when he was just an eighth grader. Firmin taught him the importance of service and engraved his passion for service into his own life. Firmin’s example taught Boudreaux the positive effects service has on one’s life.
When he isn’t volunteering, Boudreaux loves being around his family and friends. In the future he plans on staying active in his community. Even though he isn’t ready to declare a major or a profession just yet, Boudreaux wants to develop a passion and love his career path.
