ACG Tauranga student Sukhmani Dhillon, 17, is already making a name for herself as a committed volunteer and natural leader.

Dhillon, who leads the Community Pillar at her school, found a new outlet for her passion for helping others last year when she began volunteering with Recreate – an organisation that runs fun, inclusive events for young people with disabilities.

“I love being around other people, both the people I know and new people,” Dhillon said.

“I searched online for volunteering opportunities and came across Recreate on Seek Volunteer.”

Since then, she’s jumped headfirst into the role, helping out at everything from beach outings to movie nights and trampoline days in Rotorua.

“I have a real passion for helping people and being part of the community,” Dhillon said. “Going along to these activities means I meet new people and some familiar faces and learn more about their lives.”

She said her work with Recreate builds on a long-standing desire to lead, connect and grow.

“I’ve always been a leader at school, and want to get more experience in the wider community,” Dhillon said.

“Volunteering helps me understand different perspectives, build empathy and grow my interpersonal skills.”

With her sights set on a career in science, Dhillon plans to head to the University of Auckland next year to study biology.

She’s already thinking about how she can combine her academic goals with her passion for service.

“I’m always looking forward to integrating my passion for science with my commitment to helping others,” she said.

“No matter where I go, I’ll keep seeking out opportunities to volunteer and create positive change.”

Whether it’s at school, in the lab or on the beach with new friends, Dhillon is showing that age is no barrier to making a difference.