Q: Tell us who you are!
A: My name is Emerson Walters, and I am a senior. I got involved with Pebble Tossers when I was in my freshman year, so I have been a TLP member for 4 years. My favorite things to do are hang out with my friends, play golf, and volunteer!
Q: Tell us about a service project you participated in with the TLP.
A: A service project I did in TLP was the spelling bee at Corners Outreach. The most challenging part was the planning of every aspect of the project. The most rewarding part was watching the kids doing the spelling bee and getting the words right.
Q: What’s something you hope to see change in your community, and how has the TLP helped you feel more equipped to be a part of that change?
A: I hope that our community will come together to make our world a better place. I think Pebble Tossers has shown me that there are people who care as much about this issue as I do.
Q: What was a lesson you learned from the TLP that really stuck with you?
A: A lesson that I learned in TLP that stuck with me was how to overcome adversity. Sometimes plans fall through, and you must learn how to overcome them and strengthen your project despite the challenges.
Q: If you could share a piece of advice to a younger student who wants to get more involved in service, what would you tell them?
A: I would tell them never to give up, even when it feels like they should. The outcome is much better than the problems in the plans leading up to it.
Q: Parents, what’s something you learned about your community or about the power of youth service by watching your teen participate in the TLP?
A: After watching my daughter participate in the TLP program for four years, I’ve come to truly admire Pebble Tossers and what it stands for. Each year, the program challenges them to organize into small groups, select a cause that’s meaningful to one or all of them, and then build a real-world program or event that directly benefits people. It’s not a classroom exercise, but an effort that celebrates service by challenging each student to plan, organize, and follow through—and then shows them firsthand the human outcome of their project. Observing this process up close has been remarkable. Within this community of peers, our daughter has gained planning skills, leadership confidence, empathy, and a strong bias toward action—all grounded in a genuine spirit of service. The growth has been extraordinary.
Q: Parents, if you could share a piece of advice with another parent or guardian considering the program for their children, what would you tell them?
A: For parents and guardians, my advice is simple: dive in with them. Join the 5K, help coordinate a project, drive them across town when needed, and use your personal or professional network to amplify their efforts. The experience not only teaches your teen to lead with purpose but also creates shared moments that strengthen your connection while setting the stage for a lifetime of service together.