{"id":244648,"date":"2026-04-24T12:21:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T12:21:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/244648\/"},"modified":"2026-04-24T12:21:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T12:21:08","slug":"guest-commentary-students-give-back-and-make-a-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/244648\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Commentary | Students give back and make a difference"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Noah Moon<\/p>\n


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For many high school students, community service and volunteering are a school requirement. But for others, volunteering is a deeper passion, rather than just a tick on the graduation checklist. <\/p>\n

In 2025, I founded Athletes Activating Champions & Empowerment, a nonprofit that provides a supportive space for underserved youth to build self-esteem, resilience and positive relationships through mentorship and guidance from student-athletes. Soon after, other students joined to support the mission.<\/p>\n

The reasoning behind founding AACE was simple: I\u2019ve been fortunate to have a lot of support from my family, teachers, coaches and community, but I know that not every kid has that same support system. Disconnection is one of the biggest threats facing young people today. When kids feel unseen, unsupported or uncertain about their future, it can affect everything \u2014 from their self-esteem to their choices. AACE was created to change that.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why AACE is so important to me; creating a space where students can access tutoring, mentorship, or simply someone to look up to and talk to is not only fulfilling for the volunteers but has long-lasting impacts on the kids we connect with. <\/p>\n

Volunteering is more heartfelt than just donating time. It\u2019s donating wisdom, guidance and support for a mission greater than you. My work through AACE has helped me realize that small actions have a big impact on the community around us and the people that we mentor. <\/p>\n

Taking a few minutes to help a younger student with homework or to hear them out when they need advice may not just be a few minutes to them \u2014 it may be the life-changing interaction they need to finally understand a tough math lesson, or the words of wisdom they need to get through a challenging time. Those moments can last a lifetime. <\/p>\n

Everyone\u2019s reasons for giving back are different. While some volunteers share a similar background to me and my gratitude for growing up with a strong, steady foundation, not all had the same experience. <\/p>\n

\u201cI came from a place where I didn\u2019t have many opportunities in my life, but I was lucky enough to have people around me who guided me throughout my childhood, and I want to replicate that and help others the same way I was helped. I want to help change people\u2019s lives,\u201d said Juan Lopez, our board chair. <\/p>\n

Regardless of our backgrounds and our differences, the spirit of giving is strong amongst each of us. <\/p>\n

And volunteering makes a difference. AACE recently launched a partnership with Valerie\u2019s House, where we visit the children every other week and provide mentorship, counsel and tutoring. Through our efforts there, we\u2019ve seen a clear increase in happiness, self-esteem and comfort among the children we meet. In one case, a little girl who was struggling with motivation at school after the loss of a loved one received math tutoring from Juan. Because of their tutoring sessions, the girl earned a 100% on her last math test, proof of how impactful volunteering can be. <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s very smart, so it\u2019s not that I did anything special,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cBut helping her find confidence and motivation was key in making sure that she\u2019d be able to tap into her knowledge and reach her highest potential. It was a huge accomplishment for her.\u201d <\/p>\n

Volunteering comes in all shapes and sizes. From participating in food drives to tutoring students who need some extra help with math or science, there\u2019s a space for everyone to take a step out of their bubble and give back to those who need it most. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you haven\u2019t volunteered before, give it a chance,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cYour first time volunteering will be eye-opening. You\u2019ll see how much potential there is for you to make a real difference, and that\u2019s what matters most: changing others\u2019 lives, one step at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

By encouraging other students in our community to volunteer, AACE has grown from just five members last year, to now having 25 students united for a great cause. And this is just the beginning; at the end of the third quarter of school, we\u2019re donating goodie bags to students at Tice Elementary as a reward for work well-done, and we have a pickleball tournament coming up in collaboration with A.N.A.\u2019s Friends.<\/p>\n

This National Volunteer Month and year-round, consider donating your time to benefit the greater good \u2013 the experience promises to be rewarding.<\/p>\n

To get involved with AACE, visit AACEtoEmpower.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Noah Moon is the president and founder of Athletes Activating Champions & Empowerment, a Fort Myers nonprofit whose mission it is to provide a supportive space where young people of all backgrounds build self-esteem, resilience and positive relationships through mentorship and guidance from student-athletes.<\/p>\n


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