a good panther always makes the difference

Jonathan Wilburn is a Senior at Pomona High School, Wilburn likes to spend his free time doing things for the benefit of people and their future to come. Wilburn volunteers at a camp that shows positivity to children who’ve endured a rough past.

“It's the little things that make a big impact in the world. You always hear about the big differences but, believe it or not, small differences change the world everyday,” said Wilburn.

Wilburn voluntarily helps out at a camp for children who've been abused.

“It’s about making someone’s day by just having a blast with them, seeing someone with a smile ear to ear warms my heart. To me it's not about the materialistic things in life, those things are so minor compared to changing someone’s life in such a positive manner.”

Not everyone has the great character or attributes of Jonathan Wilburn. As a few more Panthers were interviewed, Wilburn is always understood as an outstanding individual.

Junior Wes Gartner mentioned, “It's honestly pretty great someone is willing to go out of their way to do something voluntary, it shows a lot in Jonathan's character.”

Sophomore Gabe Herrera also brought up, “I think that what he did was great, he's one of the few you hear about doing something for someone else. It's hard to find someone so outgoing.”

It is very true, it's hard to find someone with the character of being so outgoing and warm hearted. As the this camp is centered around guidance, I asked, “Why is it so important to impute all of our knowledge and emotions into the next generation?” Sophomore Salvador Gutierrez thinks that it’s important to impute all of our knowledge and emotions into the next generations of kids like Wilburn helps because they are our future of this place, they'll be entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers and many other important jobs. We need to lead them down the correct path.”

Many Panthers would like to follow in Wilburn’s positive footsteps and volunteer, but don't have much time.

Sophomore Gabe Herrera added, “I'd love to volunteer my time, but unfortunately I’m very busy and don't want to break my plate.”

Panthers pounce to always do the right thing, it's our natural instincts. A lot of Pomona’s students wished they had the guidance Wilburn has provided in this camp.

What Wilburn did was great because he took the time out of his summer to help these kids have fun and find God, to let them live a normal life for two weeks. He did this out of the kindness of his heart, not for money or volunteer hours, or his own pleasure. He did it for the kids.

Some said, “I never endured any of the pain these kids experienced, but as moral guidance? It most likely would've constructed me to be a better person.”

What we can all learn from Wilburn’s strong example is that you don't have to be a big shot or the greatest at something to bring joy to another. The small differences count more than one can ever imagine. You don't have to be smart, strong, or handsome to be able to change someone’s life. All you need is a heart.