Zareh Hekimyan

Ms. Brard

Service Learning

14 December 2023

Reflection

According to lacounty.gov “more than 30% of LA County high school students have

reported ever using e-cigarette products.” Vaping has been corrupting students way before it was

widely popularized. It was heartbreaking to see middle and high schoolers my age addicted to

such a dangerous device. So, when I was given a chance to create some change I did not hesitate.

As a result of completing my service learning, I learned a lot more about myself, my school, and

my community.

While doing research, I saw that it is usually high school students who are most impacted

by the effects of vaping which include coughing, lung damage, brain damage, sleepiness, and

more. This opened my eyes to the dangerous world my peers live in, going in the bathroom and

seeing students my age and younger running to the stalls just so they could feel some sort of

relief. Many kids are already highly addicted and are facing the deadly consequences of their

actions. From seeing my peers and doing research, I became aware of just how much vaping has

affected my high school experience. For teenagers vaping is not seen as “cool” anymore it has

become a regular normality most students are shocked to hear that their friend doesn’t smoke, no

matter their age. Even outside of school, I realized how many vaping shops there are in my

community and the amount of these suppliers is only growing.

 In conclusion, as a result of completing my service learning, I learned a lot more about

myself, my school, and my community. I saw the devastating state of my peers and community

and was eager to make a change. Though what I did was small, it is a ripple that creates a wave

of change. Now, this experience helped me to reach out to my fellow peers who are struggling

with this problem.