Youth Helper Summer Essay Contest

We asked our Youth Helpers, volunteers between the ages of 11-17, to enter a summer essay contest with a $50 Target gift card as the prize. Most of them are former students, and making the jump for Itty Bitty Bakers participant to leader can be challenging.

Here's the winning essay from Youth Helper Abby Harris:

What's the difference between baking your first cookie and helping someone else bake theirs? I have lived both and learned they're surprisingly different. I’ve been part of Itty Bitty Bakers since 2017, starting as a student and later becoming a youth helper. Both roles are special in their own way.

As a student, I arrive excited to bake. A friendly youth helper greets me, lends

me an authentic Itty Bitty Bakers apron, and helps me get started. After

thoroughly washing my hands, I politely sit at the table and listen as the teacher clearly explains what we are baking and how we will bake it. We carefully follow the recipe step by step. While our treats bake, we do a fun craft, then we enthusiastically decorate and patiently package them before heading home.

As a youth helper, my experience is very different. I arrive early to help the

teacher set up by prepping ingredients and setting the table. When the eager students arrive, I happily welcome them and help them get settled. In class, I’m there to help the students if they need it, clean up along the way, and help the teacher with anything else. After class ends, I stay to help clean up, and if I am lucky, I sometimes get to take a delicious treat home.

Overall, being with Itty Bitty Bakers has been amazing. I like being a student and love being a youth helper because both are so different and both have taught me so much.

For more information about our Youth Helper program, and to have your student apply, visit our Youth Helper page here.