I am Shams Nafiz, an exchange student from Bangladesh. I am a senior at Tigard High! As a part of my requirements for my program was to do AT LEAST 50 hrs of community service! At first I wasn't very enthusiastic about it! I would tell myself, I could hang out & have fun with my friends, but no, I have to do community service! What happens if one more teen doesn't do community service, BIG DEAL! I was acting like this just 6 months ago! And now after some time with Hands On Greater Portland, that attitude is gone! By participating in lots of tree plantation, community enrichment, school makeover, invasive plants removal- I have come to the conclusion that even one person can motivate hundreds of others. When I showed up on Saturday morning community services & saw so many active & responsible people all trying to help the community, it gave me more inspiration! And now, it has become a part of my life! In just 6-7 months, it has become a way of life! And I don't do this because I don't have anything else to do! I do this because now I know, YOU can be that person who you think should lead you! So thank you Hands on Greater Portland for all the fun-filled moments! I wish you all the luck  success!

- Shams Nafiz