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Many seniors feel
pressured to go straight from high school to college, but Camden Olson, who graduated
from the Latin School of Chicago in the US last year, didn't give in. She
decided to spend a gap year-taking a year off before college-raising a guide
dog for Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Maine. The non - profit provides trained
guide dogs to blind and visually - impaired (视力障碍的) people. "This is something I've always wanted to do."
Olson said.
It is becoming
more and more popular among American teenagers to have a gap year. Some
students use the year off to figure out what they want to do: travel the world
or save money for college.
Olson is using
her time to follow a passion she's had since 7th grade. For years, she kept an
eye on guide dog services until she came across the opportunity at Guiding
Eyes. With support from her friends, family and teachers, Olson went for it.
Olson's volunteer work centers around Derby, a one-year-old black dog.
"My job is
to raise him to be well-mannered and socialized," she said. "Guide
dogs can't be distracted. They go everywhere with their visually-impaired
owner. They give a blind person a lot of support, too."
Of course, there's
an end in sight for Derby and Olson's close bond. When Derby celebrates his own
graduation, Olson will have to say goodbye to him.
"No doubt
there will be tears, but, if he passes, I will be so happy for him to become a
working dog," she said.
While some do not
agree that gap years are a good choice, Olson said she's seen major success. In
fact, she'll be attending Princeton University soon and is thinking about
majoring in biology.
"I think I'm
already so much more mature than I was," she said. "So many kids come
back from gap years a lot more focused and prepared."