A Reflection from the 2023-24 Alumnae Service Scholarship Awardee

3/25/2024

Annabelle Leh, DSHA '25

The Alumnae Service Scholarship was established in 2000 and recognizes the tradition of service, a cornerstone of the DSHA faith formation experience for students from freshman through senior year. This scholarship is awarded to one sophomore or junior each year who has a demonstrated commitment to serving others and academic achievement. Applications, including references and a service reflection essay, are reviewed by a committee of alumnae who consider the type of service work performed, and the incorporation of that commitment of service into her life in the present and after graduation. Leh was chosen as the recipient of this scholarship for the 2023-24 school year. Read on for an excerpt from Annabelle Leh's, DSHA '25, scholarship-winning reflection.

"I have always enjoyed volunteering and spending time with others through service. Developing these connections are a true joy, and they inspired me to seek out more volunteer opportunities within the community. The people who I meet bless me with their stories and advice, and I strive to give them my attention and love. With every service event, I am reminded of my blessings and the importance of spreading the goodness and kindness to others.

In 2022, my little brother and I cofounded the Warm Hands, Warm Hearts Program, an initiative which aims at providing warm gear (mitten and hat sets) to those who are without. Our inspiration came from a chance encounter with a homeless individual on a very cold, Wisconsin winter day. While we were able to give him our own warm items, we felt a desire to do more. With this, Warm Hands, Warm Hearts was born. In our inaugural year, we have successfully collected several hundreds of (hat and glove) sets for the local community in need and we are already excitedly planning for distribution events for the upcoming year.

Someday, I would like to have an occupation that centers on service to others; therefore, I hope to pursue a career in medicine. This desire, along with my interest in science, led me to volunteer at The Greenfield Free Medical Clinic, an amazing clinic that is run completely by volunteer doctors, nurses, and staff. I work in the pharmacy where I count, package, and label medicines for the patients. My part is small, but I find fulfillment in knowing that I helped patients receive their blood pressure or diabetic medicines that are essential for their well-being. I look forward to the day that I can earn my MD and have more direct patient care. It would be an honor to support the healthcare of those who struggle without services.

Service has been a vital part of my life since childhood. As I have matured, I have gained a better understanding of its importance and the true privilege it is to be able to help others. I recognize that as I grow, the ability to impact the community in different ways expands. I look forward to that gift and fully welcome the chance to make a positive impact on the world in as many ways as possible."

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