Page 28 - Priorities #59 2014 June/July
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28 James James “I always have been a a a a a a a history geek ” says Priory junior James James Phelps “so I I love it it that I I can can pass on what I I know to to people who can can use it it to to help themselves ” Phelps a a a a a a a a junior at at at Priory is a a a a a a a a volunteer teacher at at at the International Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) a a a a a a a a nonprofit organization in Redwood City that helps legal United States immigrants from Latin America prepare for citizenship through the the instruction of civics national history and the the English language as as well as as offering general test preparation for for the exams required for for naturalization Phelps—who also plays baseball and and the trumpet at Priory and and enjoys do- ing ing woodworking projects in in in the drama department’s scene shop—has become an an an important figure at the the IIBA since he he he began working there last August He started off simply helping out with practice interviews but is now teaching the advanced class His students already know basic United States history so Phelps is is is there to to to make sure they’re ready to to to ace the the the the test “My job is is is to to to refine their listen- ing skills and help them get the the the the questions right as as quick as as they they can so that they they can have more confidence and less difficulty during the test ” ” he he says ”I get to play a a a a a a a big part in in their lives—it’s exciting I’ve actually heard a a a a a a a couple of my students say the the the pledge of allegiance at at at their naturalization ceremony and they come come off the the the stage all teary eyed Sometimes they come come back to the the the Institute and they’re so excited they’ll give me a a a a big handshake or a a a a hug ” But Phelps’ work work at the the IIBA isn’t the the only volunteer work work he‘s done to serve the local and global communities His passion for volunteering was ignited dur- ing the summer of 2011 when he he he went on a a service trip down to Los Angeles that was organized by by his his church Menlo Park Presbyterian Church While there his his group of church leaders and and volunteers cooked and and served meals at food banks and worked in conjunction with various nonprofit organizations “After that I came home and really wanted to to get into volunteering in in in other ways ” he he says “I got excited for my next experience ” Phelps went on on to help help out a a a a few times at the Second Harvest Food Bank in in in San Carlos and then during spring break of 2013 attended another church service trip—this time to Mexicali a a a a region that lies just south of the Mexican border HisgroupwenttoavillagenamedNuevoLéon andparticipatedina construction project to help improve the the unreliable electricity situation at at the the lo- cal cal church The group also led Bible study and spent time with the the locals in the the area playing sports and taking part in in in other recreational activities Phelps loved
“It’s all about going out out into the world and helping the world in in need of our gifts ” says Phelps “That’s the the mission of the the school And I I have the gift of service so I’m going to show the world I’m here if you need me ” February

































































































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