Jessica Schmidt started volunteering before she could even say the word. At the age of two she was with her family behind a booth at the St. Heart Church Bazaar. She has returned to this role every year since and for the past five years she has served as Chair of a booth! She has also helped Catholic Daughters provide BINGO at the nursing homes, been a Vacation Bible School helper for the past three years, and has been an Altar Server for six years.

Her service to others is greatly appreciated by Girl Scout Troop 802. She has been an Assistant Jr. Girl Scout Leader bringing "youth, excitement and fun to the girls. She taught the troop the promise, laws, morals and virtues," commented a member's mother. Schmidt has been involved with Girl Scouts for eleven years by joining the Brownies. She is now a member of Troop 168 working on her Gold Award - the highest award achieved in Girl Scouts.

Jessica Schmidt has been a very active Scout member. She has served at the Banquet, made baby blankets for Birthright for her Silver Award, made room decorations for Prairie Homes Assisted Living, made fire survival kits for the Red Cross to distribute, provided musical entertainment at nursing homes, volunteered at the Senior Citizen Center one summer and wrapping gifts for Toys For Tots collected at Robinson Motors. Of course, Girl Scout Cookies are also part of her service. She is a Delivery Site Representative for the cookie project and serves on the District Committee that meets in Sioux Falls.

Volunteer hours have also been shared with community wide organizations. For two years she has played her clarinet with the Tuesday night Community Band, participated in the Lewis & Clark Festival by distributing flyers and giving directions to events, filled bags with others for the Keep Yankton Beautiful April clean-up, walking with her father's fellow workers in the March of Dime Walk A Thon, and delivering Meals On Wheels when not in school. Most recently she spent time at Riverside Park assisting with Relay For Life duties. She was asked to join next year's committee to plan the event. Schmidt's name has been listed in the Nutcracker program book for the past four performances with other dancers. She has attended dance classes at both Judi's Dance Studio and Academy of Dance for the past nine years.

With all of the activities previously mentioned, Jessica Schmidt does attend Yankton High School and achieves placement on either the Honor Roll or the Roll of Excellence. Her activities include Manager of the volleyball team, participating in Winter Workout, playing in Marching Band for two years and Band for six years. She wore two hats in "Les Miserables" when she was a student director and an actress. She also participated in the holiday project Gift Givers.

Jessica Schmidt is a member of the junior class this fall. She said, "I volunteer so that I can get involved with the area and meet new people. I love helping other people when they need it and when I'm available." Her nominator wrote," She (Jessica) is providing hope and promise for the future."

Our world is in capable hands with volunteers like Jessica Schmidt. She is not waiting for a special time or event to get started - she is and has been making a difference for many.