STEVE STEINER
Managing Editor
Volunteering in the community while also being active in high school activities is second nature to Mary Banks.
A senior at Colleton County High School, she was recently recognized by Rustic Pathways, a worldwide nonprofit organization that encourages and empowers students to be positive contributors to their community.
For Banks, it began during her sophomore year as a member of the student council, when she and classmates toured a homeless shelter. She was so motivated by what she observed and learned that it led her becoming more involved with the shelter.
She began volunteering once a week, but soon it became almost daily. However, she had to cut back her participation, as she is finishing up her senior year at CCHS.
“But I still try to get there once a week,” she said.
As a volunteer, she tackles a variety of assignments, such as organizing rooms for homeless who will stay for the night or slightly longer.
However, what she often does is assemble “Blessing Bags.” These bags include food, blankets, socks, undergarments, toiletries, small activity games (for young children) and a Bible.
The smiles she sees on the faces of those receiving Blessing Bags make her day.
By volunteering, she has seen life from a different perspective. She has also noted the changes that have taken place these past several years by those who are homeless.
“Some people didn’t come to us because they were scared,” she said. However, that fear has lessened on the parts of many who are homeless. “Before, they were attempting to be invisible. Now they know there’s someone ‘in their corner.’ So more of them are open to seeking and getting help.”
Outside her volunteer activities, Banks is extensively involved at Colleton County High School. She is:
Student Body President
A member of the National Honors Society
Involved with “Youth in Government”
Attended Palmetto Girls State
But it’s not all work and no play for Banks. She participates in social activities both in and out of school, hanging out with friends, and loves to read.
Banks will be attending Anderson University, where she plans to major in English or political science. Her goal is to become either a family court lawyer, criminal justice lawyer, or a trial lawyer.
“The law gene runs in our family,” Banks said. She pointed out she has an aunt who is a public defender in Charleston County, and her grandfather.
Now retired, he was a family court judge in Kingstree, S.C., where he served for more than 20 years.
“He’s been one of my biggest role models,” she said. “He’s very excited I’m interested in that field.”
Banks said she would like more people be active in the community.
“Reach out to organizations to be involved as much as you can and put yourself in situations you aren’t used to,” she said. “Make your environment the best it can be.”
ABOUT RUSTIC PATHWAYS
Rustic Pathways has been the leader in global teen adventure travel and community service programs since 1983. Through purposeful design, it creates and develops culturally-immersive travel programs for students ages 12 to 22, customizable teacher-led trips for school groups, and gap year semesters for recent high school grads.
Rustic Pathways is committed to creating a world where all people are connected by a shared humanity and all decisions are made with a global perspective.
