For many, volunteer hours are a slog. Another load dumped onto one’s already incredibly busy schedule. Just something that they need to get into college, or to be in the National Honor Society. Something to get out of the way when it’s convenient, then once they have those fifteen or thirty hours, they’re scot-free. But, senior Hailey Ramp doesn’t see it that way. After all, she has an estimated two-hundred fifty volunteer hours this year alone. 

Ramp is active in her community, both volunteering and fostering for both the Humane Society, and cleaning and restoring gravestones in the Walcott Cemetery. Also in Walcott, she works at the Walcott Veterinary Clinic. She is involved in school activities, like girl’s bowling, National Honor Society, and Ecology Club. Although her schedule can be busy, she believes that being involved with animals is worth it. 

“I think it’s important because [the dogs] don’t really have someone to speak up for them. So, when you do that you give them better quality of life, you reduce their stress levels by getting them out of the shelter even if it’s ten minutes a day,” Ramp said. 

She isn’t only involved with animals through the Humane Society, though. Ramp is also a vet tech at the Walcott Veterinary Clinic. It’s a big step toward her career goal of becoming a veterinarian herself. This dedication isn’t something that only shows in her career. It also shows in her school work. Notably, she is currently doing AP Statistics as an independent study. 

“She puts a lot of effort into making sure that she gets to where she wants to be,” AP statistics teacher Jonell Armetta said. “So, if she’s passionate about that community service, I could guarantee that she puts in 110% and will probably run herself ragged trying to accomplish what she wants to accomplish.”

Senior Nicholas Graap is Ramp’s friend, and he would be inclined to agree. He volunteers at the Humane Society with her, typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school. 

“I just think that she’s an all around great gal,” Graap said. Veterinary medicine is very eventful, so Graap takes a natural interest in Ramp’s work at the clinic.  “I always text her about it. She always sends me pictures. She always sends me texts about it.”

Ramp has many interesting stories to tell about her work at the Humane Society as well. Like that of Tacoma, a dog who escaped from an abandoned house, and thereby alerted Animal Protective Services two other dogs in that same house, which saved them all. Of course, community service can offer more than just stories. 

“You make a lot of friends that you don’t expect. I didn’t volunteer till last year, the year before, something like that.” Ramp said. “Then, I really got into the community and into the people and it makes a big difference.”