Link-Photojournlism Essay

The topic I chose for my Photojournalism essay was community service at Laguna Creek’s Pasta Palooza IB dinner. I found out about this event during an Honor Society meeting and I thought it would be a great topic to talk about for this essay as well as get some community service hours! As a freshman, last year I volunteered for this event and it was a great success for the school and this year’s dinner was even better! This event was on the twentieth of September, which was a Saturday from six to seven o’clock (the actual dinner). However If you signed up volunteer you had an option of three different jobs and times.
The first job was “set up” from three to six pm and your jobs in this time were to pull out tables, put them in the correct lay out, put the center table decorations on tables and also organize the raffle prizes, tickets, baskets, and desserts. Putting the raffle items together correctly was essential to this dinner because it was a crucial way of earning more money for the school and the IB functions so quite a few volunteers were cutting, separating, and counting the raffle tickets. The Second job option was “serving” and it was from six to seven o’ clock. It was very simple job all you did was serve the guests the food they chose to have. Due to having an abundance of servers a few did not get the chance to serve so they simply waited on guests by getting them extra utensils or walked around selling raffle tickets. The third and final job was “clean up” from seven to eight thirty o’clock. Personally I found this the most fun because one of my best friends was there and we finally got to hang out. It was a blast being able to be silly and have fun with folding the tables, putting away decorations, counting tickets, packing extra food. However the most fun job was we both got assigned the job of running around the school ripping
posters down in the dark. It was so much fun and the last thing I thought I would be doing. It just proves how fun surprises can happen at school events!
When we were finishing up the finishing touches we all were excited for the families and guests to arrive. When the doors opened at six people made their way in the cafeteria and lines formed to buy tickets and once they did people scoped the choices of prizes which were all types of dessert to various gift certificates. After that, most people began to be served and seated. Once most were some advisors spoke a little about the event and thanked the guests and then serves were able to indulge in the free dinner provided. It was yummy and quite rewarding after about four hours of working. Then the announcer drew the raffle tickets and it was quite a competition. It was really funny to watch people’s reactions!
This event was important because it raised money for the school and also it made families gather together for a family dinner and have fun with the raffles. While serving I got to see the tables full of families and I couldn’t help but crack a smile at the sight of it because in today’s society this isn’t as common as it used to be or should be. It’s hard enough for some families to even get everyone to the table and have a family dinner but even if you go to a restaurant and glance around most people or families are burying their noses in phones and ignoring each other. So this event was a great opportunity for a real family time and dinner.
One of best parts about this event was that it was put on and run my parents and students. Instead of these people doing other things on a Saturday they went to school and help run this service event. Community service can truly show the kindness some people have and the desire they have to help support the school and its program as well as the community because we all are a part of it. When it comes to community service I believe students should be more involved in it for the betterment of the community and themselves because it can be very fun and enjoyable like this dinner! ☺