Service has become a way of life for Jariyah K. Smith, a 17-year-old senior at Eustis High School, whose dedication to helping others has earned her multiple honors this year, including recognition as Youth of the Year by the Eustis African-American Heritage Committee.

Jariyah was also crowned Eustis High School’s Homecoming Queen, an achievement she says reflects years of involvement, leadership and community service.

Jariyah volunteers with Lake Cares Food Pantry, Tender Steps Daycare and through Eustis High School’s JROTC program, where students assist with parades, community events and service projects, including volunteer work at local cemeteries.

She is also a member of the Eustis High varsity cheer team, which regularly volunteers at community events. One of her favorite experiences came recently while assisting at a boxing match.

“That was really cool,” Jariyah says. “I loved it.”

Beyond school-based organizations, Jariyah is a debutante with the Silhouettes of Criterion’s, where members participate in service projects throughout the year. She is also involved with the Leesburg Delta Gems, a youth group affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

“Recently, we made gifts and cards and put them in bags, and we delivered them to a nursing home,” Jariyah says.

In addition, she volunteers as a cheer coach and assists as a volunteer teacher at a daycare, where she works closely with young children.

“As I work with the kids and teach them cheers and sometimes life lessons, it really warms my heart,” she says. “I love seeing the smiles on their faces. When we win games, it’s like the best thing ever.”

Jariyah has grown up in Eustis and attended Eustis Heights Elementary, Eustis Middle School and now Eustis High School, where she is finishing her senior year.

She says her passion for community service is rooted in her belief that giving back creates lasting impact.

“Me giving back is believing in someone,” she says. “What you pour into someone is what someone is going to pour into you.”

She said even when her schedule is full, she tries to help whenever she can.

“I know that I’m not available every second,” Jariyah says, “but every second that I am, I try to, and I love it. Just seeing the looks on others’ faces when you’re helping them means everything.”

After graduating, Jariyah plans to attend Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, a historically Black university, where she intends to major in accounting and business management.