2019 Scholarship Recipient

I serve the community because it first served me. I was born almost 3 months early and lived in the NICU for the next 2 months of my life. While I was living in the NICU, community members prepared my nursery, harvested our garden and held a benefit to help my parents pay the medical bills. I enjoy doing community service because I am able to give back to the community that first helped me. From a young age I was taught to help others, therefore, community service is a part of my character values. I want to continue to serve the Roseau community for many years to come.

Community service helps other people in the community. Personally, I have helped an elderly neighbor cut up and haul firewood, ushered at multiple school events, coached youth sports teams, tested elementary kids for vision and hearing, taught Sunday School, volunteered at Lifecare since 4th grade, hauled recycling from the school to the community bins, and helped at the Food Shelf. Community service is freely offering to help someone whether it be an individual, community members, or organization. Community service also helps me feel spiritually fulfilled. I have a giving heart and helping others makes me feel joyful.

Helping others through community service builds the community up and gets projects done. “Many hands make light work.” Being involved in the community teaches others, especially children, to be involved in the community and to help others. We need to pass on these caring values to children because they are the ones that will be taking over and providing community services. Community service allows me to put my values to work and build relationships with community members.

My favorite part about being in the Roseau community is the people! Without my involvement in extracurricular activities and community service I would not be the same person I am today. I will always be grateful for the Roseau community members because they have given myself and my family so much. They helped us in our time of need and I plan to do the same.

• Kiana Flaig, 2019 Roseau Women of Today scholarship recipient