BY: BRANDON CONDA, STORYTELLING INTERN
Words Alive is pleased to honor Bryce Benson as our July Volunteer of the Month!
Bryce is a senior at High Tech High and has been a part of the Words Alive family since earlier this year, when he started as a volunteer in Teen Volunteers in Action (TVIA). He completed a month-long volunteer internship in May, where he prepped Family Literacy Program materials, assisted the Development Team with mailings, and did a range of other tasks in the office.
Bryce took advantage of every opportunity and was able to learn about how a nonprofit organization functions. His spirit and curiosity were able to enlighten every one of our Words Alive staff!
Volunteering has been a significant part of Bryce’s life since he was young:
“Growing up, I would join friends and family for volunteering. Seeing the direct impact my help had on others blossomed my love for volunteering. Currently, I help out at a variety of nonprofits across San Diego via teen volunteer organizations. When I volunteered at Words Alive, I was incredibly touched by their mission and their accepting atmosphere. I reached out to Words Alive to ask if I could get more involved with them through an internship. Ever since then, I've loved helping out at Words Alive!”
One of Bryce’s favorite moments was getting to jump into a Read Aloud Program classroom.
“Up to that point, I had been preparing kits and handling tasks to help the Read Aloud Program function. Doing the preparation is important and rewarding, but being able to step into the classroom is especially satisfying. I assisted in several class readings and games,” Bryce said. “As we read, I could see the kids earnestly engaging with the book. Their excitement started rubbing off on me, and by the end of each class, my grin was as earnest as their smiles. It reminded me that reading is important, reading is playful, and reading is fun.”
The internship experience also gave him a behind-the-scenes look at nonprofit work:
“Interning at Words Alive has enriched my understanding and appreciation of how a nonprofit operates. After mentioning that I was interested in understanding how a nonprofit functions, the team went above and beyond, breaking down the different parts of Words Alive. Every team member individually talked to me about how their role contributes to the organization. I had meetings that discussed how a nonprofit balanced finance, adjusted scope, coordinated volunteers, organized donations, and provided a plethora of invaluable advice I hope to use as I get involved with nonprofits throughout my life. Most importantly, interning at Words Alive has built up my confidence working in tandem with a team. Everyone was someone I could rely on and get great advice from, and that pushed me to be a person they could rely on. I gained a lot from Words Alive, and I'm very thankful to them!”
For Bryce, Words Alive is the ideal example of what volunteering should and can look like: showing up with curiosity, care, and a learner’s mindset. Bryce’s time with Words Alive has illustrated that program materials, in-classroom support, and behind-the-scenes support are all crucial for Words Alive to deliver our mission.
Thank you, Bryce, for your passion, your heart, and your work ethic. You’ve done so much for our community!
Book Q&A
Did you have a favorite book growing up, or is there a book that’s had a big impact on you?
While not a book in the traditional sense, the piles of books I've accumulated for Dungeons and Dragons and other storytelling games have shaped me. I've spent hundreds of hours poring over different texts discussing story settings, game mechanics, and storytelling advice. Since Elementary, I've been gathering friends for story crafting and Hijinx. Playing storytelling games has made me into a better person: I'm now better at incorporating others' ideas, critically thinking, understanding relationships, and making decisive decisions because of storytelling games. Some of my favorite memories are spent around the table, laughing with my friends as our story unfolds. Words Alive cares about making reading fun, and storytelling games let you iterate on things you've read playfully.
What are you currently reading, or do you have a favorite book to recommend to others?
A favorite of mine is Anxious People by Fredrick Backman. It is a witty, whimsical, and endearing story that explores how people navigate human connection in their own uniquely complex ways. In the beginning, a botched bank robbery forces the perpetrator to hold an open house hostage. The story then evolves as these complex and awkward characters learn that everyone is beautifully strange in their own way. If you're looking for a story that explores empathy, the search for meaning, and kindness in the most challenging circumstances, all told through sharp dialogue, Anxious People is the book for you.