Sharing a Story & Smile Through Volunteering

When I first arrived at Whitman as an international student, I wanted to get involved in the community right away. Walla Walla was going to be my new home for the next four years and I wanted to say thank you for the warm welcome by giving back to the community. But I wasn’t sure where to start and it felt a little overwhelming. What I didn’t realize at first is that making a difference can be as simple as reading a book.

I’d always loved working with kids, so I began looking for any opportunity to connect with the younger members of the Walla Walla community. On Whitman’s Career & Community Engagement Center webpage, I found the StoryTime Project listed as one of the volunteer programs. So during my first year, I spent 30 minutes a week reading to kids at the daycare on campus. It might seem like a small commitment, but the impact is huge. Watching a child’s eyes light up as they follow along with a story, ask questions or excitedly point out their favorite character reminds me why this work is so important. It matters to them.

By my sophomore year, I had the opportunity to become a program leader, a role I still hold today. This leadership position has strengthened my professional skills that extend beyond the program itself. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is to adapt my communication style to different groups of people. I’ve also improved my ability to nurture relationships, create positive environments, and learned how to work collaboratively while balancing between my personal vision and the input from my wonderful team.

This experience has shown me the power of teamwork and shared passion for the public good. I have also been recognized for the work I’m doing. I was recently honored to receive the President’s Student Civic Leadership Award through the Washington Campus Coalition, a recognition that reaffirmed the impact of this work. Fellow Whitties were also recognized, including Jonathan Becker ’26. Beyond the award, this leadership position has given me a broader perspective, allowing me to see the impact not just through my own experience but how it has a meaningful impact on both the Whitman and Walla Walla communities.

One of the most rewarding parts of this role is hearing from other Whitties why they choose to volunteer. Many share that they have fond childhood memories of books or oral storytelling, and they want to pass on that same joy to the kids in town. They all agree that seeing the kids engaging with the stories they were reading is one of the best feelings ever! Volunteers receive countless hugs and thank you cards from their little friends. It’s so special.

Whitties aren’t the only ones who appreciate the opportunity to engage with the community. I hear from elementary school teachers all the time about how wonderful our Whitman readers are in the classrooms. The kids eagerly look forward to their visits with their college "big friends." Plus, teachers say they also look forward to these visits. The half-hour gives them the much-needed opportunity to get some grading or lesson planning done or to provide extra support to students who need it. It’s a small but meaningful way to support both the students and educators in our community. It’s amazing to see how something as simple as reading a book can create connections across generations and make a lasting impact.

Volunteering with and leading StoryTime has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my college experience. Through this program, I’ve not only met some of the sweetest kids but have seen my fellow Whitties find joy in these simple moments of giving back to the community. 

So if you’ve ever wondered if you can make a real difference as a college student the answer is yes! Start small. Read a book. Lend a hand. Share a smile. You never know the impact you have until you see it reflected in a child’s eyes. Who knows, they might just fall in love with reading because of you. And in doing so, you might just find yourself falling in love with the community too.

Mavie Pham ’25 (she/her) is a Sociology major from Hanoi, Vietnam. She enjoyed reading animal-themed books to children.