It all started when she first arrived at Trinity High School four years ago. Now, as Linsey Barker of Bedford prepares for college, she understands the value and benefits of helping others.

Barker, 18, is involved in the National Honor Society, teaches dance at the Bedford Dance Center, and was Trinity’s homecoming queen this year. But her volunteer work with campus ministry is what she’ll remember the most.

“That’s probably my favorite thing at Trinity,” said Barker. “They really encourage volunteering.”

Barker became a part of campus ministry as a sophomore and immediately got involved in the activities the club did throughout the year. One of the club’s events was to visit and help victims of Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi, Miss.

“A school was completely flooded and collapsed,” said Barker. “We went to the school and talked to (the students) and got to see their perspective.” After meeting residents who had lost their homes and were still trying to recover, the students cleaned houses and rubble around the city.

She attributes her experience to Trinity, as most schools don’t offer the same opportunities like visiting New Orleans.

“It was just really surreal. Most schools (except Trinity) don’t offer that.” she said. During her junior and senior years, Barker also volunteered with Special Olympics. “We go for the day and help out with everything they need,” said Barker.

Some things volunteers did included bringing food to the athletes and working as timekeepers. “It was so awesome. I had such a blast,” she said.

Barker did other things with campus ministry, including helping out at the New Hampshire Food Bank once a month during her senior year, collecting and sorting canned food. She and others also volunteered raking leaves in back yards for elderly residents in Manchester every other weekend.

Now out of high school, Barker, 11th in her class, will attend Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass., majoring in psychology with a concentration in pre-med.

“I’ve wanted to be a pediatrician for a while,” she said. “I love kids and I love medicine.”

Her parents are proud of the accomplishments she’s had while at Trinity.

“She’s extremely well-prepared for what’s coming in her future,” said her mother, Carol- Lynn. “It really couldn’t have been better.”

Barker has truly benefited from her experiences with campus ministry and understands how large an impact the club has had on the school. According to her, students come out of Trinity more selfless than they were going in.

“It helps us to see that there’s more out there than yourself,” said Barker.