VolunTeens.com : Previous Spotlights

PREVIOUS SPOTLIGHTS!

READ ABOUT VOLUNTEENS WHO HAVE APPEARED
IN OUR SPOTLIGHT!

Marcello Sachs was selected as a VolunTeens Spotlight when he was a senior at St. Andrews School in Boca Raton. He has spent his high school career volunteering in different areas, but his biggest impact on the community has been through his artistic creations. As a volunteer counselor for the International Museum of Cartoon Art’s summer camp, he was able to work with young children and teach them art.

As an artist, Marcello says he “finds release in art, it’s an outlet to express emotions, and in between work loads, it’s a great break.” His most impressive undertaking has been the mural he designed and painted at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center in West Palm Beach. His mom attends meetings at the detention center and noticed there was a blank wall in the reaction room. When Marcello heard about it, he was more than excited to have a new project! He selected an inspiring theme for the mural, super heroes. After talking with the kids at the detention center about what kind of artwork they would like, he decided it was the perfect idea. Not only are these fictitious characters role models, the kids love the fantasy that is

associated with them. During the months he spent creating the mural, he worked with the kids to help them learn to paint. He even saved a section of the mural for the children to paint themselves. Not only is the wall more decorative now, but he hopes that it will be a reminder for the children of the good inside of people - that you can become a hero if you want it enough

When chosen as a VolunTeens Spotlight, Marissa Gittelman was an 11th grade student at Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale. Her younger sister, Katrina, was a 9th grader at the same school. Throughout high school, they have volunteered their time to lead a local chapter of the Best Buddies organization. Best Buddies is a program that was developed to enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by “buddying” them up with

volunteers and giving them an opportunity for a friendship. Gathering teens from their school and local areas, they have a committed group of students who dedicate their time to helping disabled people.

This program not only has been inspiring for them, but has also taught them the value of giving back to their community. We interviewed Marissa and some of the other VolunTeens in the Best Buddies program, and they shared their thoughts with us:

“At my lower school, there was a day devoted to doing services for the community. They brought Best Buddies as one of the programs for the day and got an enthusiastic response. Best Buddies became a yearly program where the students and the Buddies would have lunch, cookies, soda, clowns and smiles all around. We began to make connections with those who would come back year after year,” said Marissa.

“My younger sister, Katrina, and I took on Best Buddies as our own community service project two years ago. She promised to continue the program on a monthly basis and I decided that I would try to recruit people from Pine Crest to start a chapter there,” continued Marissa. During the school year Pine Crest now sponsors Best Buddies on one Saturday each month. “We do different projects each time. Sometimes we make picture frames so that they can carry the group picture with them, or we make paper rings to decorate their rooms, and sometimes we read to them or they read to us,” said Marissa.

“The one-on-one interaction and the opportunity to enhance the lives of my Buddies is the best part of the experience,” said devoted VolunTeen member Natasha Keynejad. She remembered, “The moment I felt most connected to my Buddy is when I made her laugh.” “I’ve learned that everyone needs a friend and that our Best Buddies deserve to be treated as equals,” said Zack Purdo, another committed VolunTeen. “The greatest part of working with the Buddies is making them feel comfortable and making them feel good about who they are,” added Purdo. In closing, Marissa remarked, “we create our memorable bonds through laughter, song, and lots of hugs.”

CONSTANCE METROPULOS: Constance Metropulos was an 18-year-old student at
St. Andrew’s School when she was selected as our first Volunteen “Spotlight” for the 2003-2004 school year.

Constance founded the “Strokes for Success” after-school swim program for young children. Here in South Florida, there are pools everywhere, and young children must be taught to swim. After reading and hearing about elementary school age drowning victims, Constance felt that she could make a difference in her community, and save lives at the same time.

“Strokes for Success” consists of 2 twelve week sessions. The students participate for 1 hour a week. They learn to love the water, how to be safe and careful around a pool, and how to swim! Constance says: ”Founding, implementing, and instructing this program has made me forever grateful for the blessings that have been given me.” She believes that helping younger children to succeed in any aspect of their lives can be beneficial. She encourages other teens to become involved. Donations of bathing suits, and any offers of sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.

Constance is also involved in the Greek Orthodox Youth of America, where she finds many new ways to serve her neighborhood and her community. She serves on the Community Service Board at her high school, and is the President of the Senior class. She is to be commended for her contribution to her school, her neighborhood, and her community. “ Congratulations Constance, you’ve earned the spotlight!”

TAMIKA STOKES: Tamika was a student at Saint Andrew's School (class of 2001) when she became one of our SPOTLIGHT teens.

Tamika volunteered as a pre-school teacher for 9 hours a day, five days a week. She loves to work with children, and she loves to teach. The teaching opportunity gave Tamika 225 hours of community service while she was doing something she enjoyed.

Not only did she earn many hours of community service, but she also learned a lot about herself. “I have learned to be patient with others and to give my all in helping others,” she said. “I have also learned that I really like teaching little kids.” Tamika recommends this activity to other teens who love working with children. Because of this experience, Tamika realized that some day she would love to be a pediatrician or an elementary school teacher.

Tamika’s involvement in her community does not end with teaching. She also participates in Walk-a-thons, works at Dr. Kawa Dentistry, involves herself with food drives, dedicates her time to Operation Smile, and enjoys being a member of the International Club. Tamika is on the varsity volleyball team at her school as well.

“I would love to make a difference and to help others,” Tamika said.

JOACHIM OVER & BRYAN LUDWIG: Joachim Over (left) and Bryan Ludwig (right) were students at St. Andrew’s School in Boca Raton (class of 2002) when they appeared in our SPOTLIGHT.

Joachim and Bryan are involved in a community service project known as "Students Teach Students -- A Smoking Prevention Program." This program was created by the American Lung Association of Southeast Florida.

Along with other students from Saint Andrews School, Bryan and Joachim teach lower school students about the dangers of smoking and using tobacco products. They furthered their involvement in the community by bringing this program to day camps in the Palm Beach County area.

A typical presentation involves two trained high school students who present the STS program to children aged 10 - 12. "We have taught groups ranging in size from 15 - 120 students," says Bryan. A typical presentation includes using visual aids as well as having students participate in group activities. "Students particularly enjoy 'Smoking Sam,' a puppet that 'smokes' a cigarette and displays the amount of tar given off," explains Bryan.

"We enjoy being involved in the STS program because we get to have a hands-on involvement with younger children. We hope that our teaching will cause someone to think twice before using any tobacco products," Joachim explains. "We especially like teaching this because we know the students can better relate to us because of our age," he adds. "They look to us as role models. Since we don't smoke, they realize they don't have to either."