Personal Essay

By Emma Acritelli

2025 Anne MacKay Scholarship winner Emma Acritelli of Riverhead High School.

Growing up, I was always told by my dad to ignore those people who sit outside of stores all day, handing out fliers, asking for money, and reciting the same pitch to whomever walked by.They were made out to be an annoyance. Still, the ideas of activism and service have always sparked my interest. I have always been a very sensitive and empathetic person, I just never knew how to act on these qualities. My freshman year, I didn’t realize joining Key Club would completely change my world.

One of the biggest events that Key Club holds every year is Safe Halloween. This is where KeyClub members give up their night to decorate the high school’s cafeteria and art hallway, operate carnival games, hand out candy, and run a spooky walk. Roughly four hundred elementary students rely on this every year to have a fun and safe-space to trick-or-treat with their loved ones. To acquire all the funds and candy and to make this night possible, I became one of those people. After school I sat outside the Riverhead CVS, alongside a small group of club members, and asked customers to consider buying us a bag of candy or make a small donation. Each shopper that walked by got bombarded by us. “Hello would you like to help the Riverhead Key Club with our Candy Collection!” We got so many rejects. “No thank you.” “Not today.” “No.” The roles were reversed. I didn’t realize how hurtful it was to be on the other sideof the table. I never knew how difficult it was to find someone who’d stop and listen to us. From this experience not only did I learn the importance of basic acknowledgement, but how powerful kindness can be. As a woman approached the store, I began to make my pitch. She immediately interrupted me and gave me her answer, “No.” Before she left the area I quickly responded, “That’s alright, have a great day.” I wasn’t trying to rebuttal her harsh statement, Iwas just saying thank you out of habit. Roughly twenty minutes later she came out with a paper bag and pulled out an assorted pack of candy. She said I was a “sweetheart” and that she“couldn’t stop thinking about” what I said. Her donation gave us one extra push to meet our goal. I didn’t realize that a simple statement could hold so much power. Now as a Senior and the club’s President, I encourage the underclassmen to say “that’s alright” and “thank you” to those dismissing us. Who knows, wishing them a great day might change the way they think.In my Junior year I utilized these skills and created another pitch. Every fall and spring, the KeyClub hosts a blood drive with the New York Blood Drive Center for students and staff to donate.Students are even rewarded with a cord at graduation if they at least donate twice. What many people do not realize is that the simple act of donating helps close the gap of the nation wide blood shortage. Shelves are empty. People’s lives rely on the selflessness of community. The week before the drive, I suited up in the blood drop costume and handed out fliers to everyone I saw. I tried to make the process as exciting as possible. “You get two hours of community service!” “You get free cookies and stickers!” With fellow members, we made Instagram posts and TikTok’s to keep the excitement level high. I felt ridiculous at times, but it worked. Key Club broke their record for the most pints donated in ten years. One of the videos I edited was even recognized and reposted by the New York Blood Center. I continued to get involved with the blood center that summer by hosting my own drive. My responsibilities included promoting the drive, helping donors sign in, and ensuring their well being after they made donations. I managed to collect twenty six pints. Blood drives gave me the chance to convince people to make lasting acts of kindness.

Community involvement has been an important asset of my education and character. I participated in roughly two hundred fifty hours of community service through Key Club, Women’s Empowerment Club, Science Olympiad, and Unified Sports. I have been presented with so many experiences and opportunities through this work. For this dedication to service, on top of my management skills as Key Club President, I was awarded Distinguished Key Club President this past March by New York District Key Club.

I realize why people do community service, it is because they can. To be in a position of privilege where you can make a difference is something that every living person should betaking advantage of. Next year at Hofstra University, I plan on studying Film and TelevisionProduction. This major will give me the opportunity to connect with viewers through visual storytelling. I plan on working with advocacy groups for current injustices including gender, genocide, sexuality, and transgender rights. By already being a member of the RabinowitzHonors College, I’ll have connections with local high schools and institutions to tutor and volunteer. Through these new experiences, I will continue to channel the lessons learned through my community engagement. I will do my best to give back as much as possible. I hope to be remembered for my sensitivity and dedication to service.