John F Kennedy once said, "One person can make a difference and everyone should try." Can just one person really make a difference? I believe the answer to this is YES! I strive in my daily life to show young people the importance of volunteering in their community and the difference they can make. I have seen the difference that small acts of volunteerism can make to those around us. I believe it is a responsibility of everyone to contribute to their community through some kind of volunteering. Between 2007 and 2012, Arkansas ranked 45th among the states in number of residents who volunteered and 48th in hours volunteered per resident. I believe there is no excuse for our state to fall that low. As Miss Dogwood Outstanding Teen, I am working to show the citizens of our state how easy it is to volunteer, to give back, and to make a difference.