For most students, balancing school, extracurriculars and friendships is challenging enough. However, Aaron Gill '25 has added a decade of community service to his list of accomplishments.
A Family Tradition
Aaron is no stranger to volunteering and contributing to community service. Since the age of six, his family have been volunteering at care facilities and Aaron was a part of that.
“My family has always valued service,” Aaron said. “My mom wanted me to understand how much small efforts can mean to others.”
Every Friday, Aaron and his mother visited Mount St. Mary Hospital, a local extended care facility. His early tasks were simple—feeding the resident cat and delivering mail—but gradually, his responsibilities expanded. Soon, he was organizing activities for the residents, assisting with games and joining residents on holiday outings.
His visits quickly became a highlight for the residents and fostered meaningful connections.
“One day, a resident told me, ‘I was waiting for you’ and that’s when I realized my visits meant something to them,” said Aaron, highlighting the moment he knew that despite his schedule getting busier, he would always make room for this work.
Building Skills and Confidence
After eleven years of working at Mount Saint Mary's, Aaron confidently credits his experiences there in shaping his confidence in leading with empathy and understanding different communication styles. Staff members who had watched him grow over the years even tracked his height on a chart—a visible reminder of his personal and volunteer growth.
“They took a chance on me when I was just six, and the skills I’ve learned are now a part of who I am,” said Arron, who values the opportunity to connect with so many different people. “I learned how to communicate, ask questions and listen in a way that made others feel hear.Those skills help me every day.
Small Gestures
Many students want to volunteer but worry about fitting it into their busy lives. For Aaron, the solution was making volunteering a consistent part of his schedule, even if that meant being flexible.
“In the beginning, every Friday meant volunteering,” he said. “As school got busier, I adapted—volunteering during breaks or whenever I could.”
Aaron believes giving back doesn’t have to be time-consuming to make an impact.
“It’s become part of who I am, not just something on a to-do list. Knowing it makes a difference is worth the time.”
For students considering volunteering, Aaron’s advice is to “start small.”
“The most rewarding part of volunteering is realizing how even the smallest gesture can bring joy,” he said. “It doesn’t need to be big to make a difference.”
Values in Action
“One of the school’s core values is service, and I believe that is a vital part of what defines our community,” Aaron said. “Taking the time to help others, especially those who may feel isolated, is something I hope more students will embrace.”
From a young child volunteering at Mount St. Mary’s to a compassionate young leader, Aaron’s journey proves how volunteering can shape lives. His story is a reminder that true leadership often begins with a simple choice to make the world a better place, one small step at a time.
