Seniors Jonathan and Jason Valenzuela and their younger brother, sophomore Jair traveled to Winchester, Virginia for a community service program with their church over the summer.

Alongside other youths from Agape Christian Church, the three brothers traveled to make improvements for underprivileged families’ homes.

“My brothers and I participate a lot in a teen service group from church,” Jason Valenzuela said.

Although nervous upon arrival to Winchester, Jonathan and Jair soon relaxed as they settled in.

“At first I was uncomfortable being at someone else’s house,” Jonathan Valenzuela said. “It was awkward with the person [who was receiving the service,] but as the week progressed I became more and more comfortable.”

“They all turned out to be nice, open, social people,” Jair Valenzuela said. “By the end of the week I felt comfortable talking to anyone.”

Jair Valenzuela felt a sense of fulfillment and peace of mind through the completion of the home improvements.

“We finished a wife and husband’s deck and both of them came out of the house with huge smiles,” Valenzuela said. “When the husband went to check everything out to see it was okay, I saw tears in his wife’s eyes. It was a very memorable moment.”

Helping a handicapped individual, Jonathan Valenzuela was surprised by the impact his service would make.

“We built a ramp for one guy in a wheelchair that allowed him to leave his house for the first time in years,” Jonathan Valenzuela said.

As a result of his experience in Winchester, Jason developed a new outlook regarding the purpose and morality of community service.

“It taught me to help people not to make me feel good, but rather to increase the quality of their life,” Jason Valenzuela said.

Senior Kelly Jean Watkins also accompanied the brothers on the trip. She was in the same work group as Jason Valenzuela.

“I had a wonderful experience at work camp,” Watkins said. “This year was different for me because I was in the same group as people I knew. I felt like our friendship grew being in a situation different than usual. He definitely had a strong worth ethic and our contractor Dennis loved working with him. He was a great addition to our crew.”

Many students are involved in community service, regardless of whether it is optional or mandatory. However, Jair Valenzuela considers the community service as an essential component of a virtuous community.

“I think community service is something that everyone needs to do,” Jair Valenzuela said. “Not just for themselves and not only for the values that come with the service. It’s not enough to just take care of yourself. You need to help other people so the community as a whole can prosper.”