'She's really been a blessing': High school junior dedicated to volunteering

By J. Manny Guendulay
The (Shreveport) Times

After sitting in a classroom all day, usually the last thing a high school student wishes to do is go right back into the classroom setting, but one Loyola junior can't wait.

Hannah Shirley, 16, can be found every afternoon volunteering in the after-school program at Shreveport Bossier Community Renewal's Highland Friendship House, 2204 Creswell Ave., Shreveport. There, Hannah volunteers for more than nine hours a week working with children from neighborhood schools that participate in the program.

Hannah was given the opportunity to make a difference with children early and then decided to continue volunteering.

"When I was in seventh grade at St. Mark's, my religion teacher used to have us make cookies and go to the LightHouse," she said. "So I wanted to do that during the summer, but they weren't doing that program. I started tutoring at Ingersoll Elementary, and then that ended and I ended up here. I love it."

Sandra Simpson, community coordinator at the Highland Friendship House, has been working with Hannah for three years at the site and said her work is commendable.

"It is wonderful to have an extra set of hands," Simpson said. "I don't know what I'd do without her. She's really been a blessing. The kids love her. Whatever I tell her to do, there are no questions, and she just does it."

When asked about what it is that drives her to work so much with the children, Hannah said it was two things: her dream to become a teacher and the opportunity to be a role model.

Simpson said the reason Hannah is able to make such a strong difference with the kids in the program is because the kids can sense her dedication.

"The kids know who's for real and who's not," she said. "I've had other people come and volunteer and some of them don't stay because they're not here for the right reasons. You can tell when someone shows up to help and their heart is not in it. Obviously, Hannah's heart is in the right place."