Normally, at young ages people find a passion for something, and for senior Mira Williams, it was dogs. At the age of 14 she went to the Nebraska Humane Society website and looked to apply.

“I was so ready to become a part of the Nebraska Humane Society, but I was so heartbroken when they told me that I couldn’t until I was 15,” said Williams. Ever since Williams was born, dogs have played a role in a way that have led her to caring for animals.

She had waited her whole life for an opportunity to volunteer at the Nebraska Humane Society.

The Nebraska Humane Society has always interested her because of the variety of animals. “I love dogs,” said Williams. For Williams, “there is no price for working with animals.”

Williams specializes in working with dogs. Essentially, she becomes their best friend by playing with them, walking them and spending time with them.

“I would sometimes go and read, and they would come to me and just lay on my lap,” she said. Not only does Williams help the dogs, they seem to help her as well. “It is a non-profit organization and that makes me want to volunteer there even more,” said Williams.

When colleges admit students they select those with the most respectable resume, and volunteering is something that can be on that list. Williams encourages students to volunteer. “People just need to find their niche, and they could do volunteer work with them,” she said.

College is a new start after high school, and Williams is considering applying to college of Saint Olaf in Northfield, Minn. “I want to swim for them, I love it and spend a lot of time doing it,” she said. She swims all year round and has qualified for state every single year she has been at Central.

“I most likely won’t go there because it is such a prestigious college, but it would mean a lot to me,” said Williams. Colleges search for hard worth ethic and involvement in extracurricular activities. Williams will have completed the IB program after all four years at Central, as well as swimming and volunteering.

Dogs are known as a “man’s best friend” and for Williams that statement rings true. “I have always had a dog so I’m always so attached to them, and the dog we have now was from the Humane Society,” said Williams.

The senior believes that every dog should have a chance to have somebody; she has always adopted from the Society.

The difference between people who work and those who volunteer, is typically that the ones who are working are those who are simply looking to earn money. On the other hand, volunteers do it for the greater good and because they love what they are doing.

Williams believes volunteering helps the greater good of society. “It is globally important to give back and do your part of it,” said Williams. “Because everyone needs to at some time.”