HCC Profiles: Swatski Leads in Serving Others

Name: Sarah Swatski

Major: Mathematics

Claim to Fame: President of the V’owl’unteers Club

Sarah Swatski's volunteer work has made her a familiar face on the Harford Community College campus.

Just this semester, Swatski and the other members of the V’owl’unteer Club have helped at Jacob’s Well Assisted Living Center, playing Bingo and making sun-catchers; led the World Water Week events in the Student Center to raise donations and awareness regarding the lack of the world's clean drinking water; and assisted at TALMAR Therapeutic Gardens, a place for individuals with development disabilities.

During an interview with Patch, Swatski was making origami cranes for a Japan relief effort. For each crane made, Bezos Family Foundation will donate $2 in conjunction with Students Rebuild. 

Swatski is also successful academically, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and cooperating in additional service work through participation with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK). Her hard work has not gone unnoticed.

“Sarah Swatski is an amazing individual,” V’owl’unteers Club adviser Elaine Gisriel wrote in an email. “Whether it be tutoring a friend, or assisting with college events, she is always willing to help. Her contributions to and our surrounding community are impressive, but in addition to all of that, she is a friendly and caring person.”

Swatski has been a part of the V’owl’unteers Club since September 2009 and has presided as its President since November 2009. In response to what motivates her, Swatski said “meeting new people and being able to help them in a meaningful way, [and] also making new friends who share a passion for volunteering.”

Upcoming activities include helping with Habitat for Humanity and beautifying the ground around the flagpole near the library, which has a plaque to honor military students.

One of Swatski's fondest volunteer memories was performing a roadside clean up through PTK.

"During cleanups, many people stop when they're driving by to thank us for taking time on a Saturday morning to clean up the road they drive every day," she said. "It means a lot that they notice what we are doing and are appreciative enough to let us know." 

She has impacted her peers as well.

“Sarah is a great person. She is involved in a lot of activities and is super smart," Ashley Whiteman, Secretary for the V’owl’unteers Club said. "She really has a natural ability to lead.”

Swatski hopes to transfer to UMBC after graduating from HCC in May.

"I plan to remain involved in volunteer activities with my church, and join the Habitat for Humanity Club at UMBC," she said. "Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your community and learn new things, and I want to continue to make community service a part of my life."