Being a kind and caring person is an essential quality to have in life and especially when demonstrating the IB learner traits. One must be caring because it helps them to relate and communicate with those around them effectively and in a healthy way. Additionally, being caring helps one make connections with others.

I demonstrated this trait when I noticed that my school counselor was making pancakes on Friday (aka "Pancake Fridays," which unbeknownst to me was a regular occurrence) and then I offered to help him by mixing the pancake batter and flipping/cooking them for all the students that wanted one. I was being caring because I was more concerned about everyone getting a pancake if they wanted one than about myself getting one. Also I was being caring because I offered to help my high school counselor when I noticed that a lot of people were surrounding him and asking him things. Being caring throughout my high school experience has greatly helped me to connect with others and relate with others on a more personal rather than superficial manner. 

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Being a caring person has allowed me to have a more enjoyable high school experience because when one is kind they are able to make friends and help teaches which allows them to create a connection with others. Additionally, being a caring person is a part of my High School graduation requirements. This is because one needs a certain amount of Service Learning (Volunteer) hours to receive the IB certificate from whichever IB pathway they have chosen. This means that in order to graduate I am required to demonstrate the IB Learner Trait of being caring by volunteering in my community or school. For this I have decided to volunteer at a local cat shelter called, Happy Endings Cat Shelter. I find the work that I do while volunteering there to be extremely rewarding and almost therapeutic. I am so happy to make the cats feel more comfortable by cleaning their cages and entertaining them by playing with them, and just showing them love in general.