Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 13, 1992 TAG: 9202130390
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
HER AMBITIONS EXCEED VOLUNTEER HONOR
After 18 years, Dimple Desai of Roanoke is tired of explaining how she got her unusual name. But if she plans to spend the rest of her life as she has the past few years - meeting and helping people - she'd better get used to it.Desai is one of 12 high school students to be recognized this year by the Roanoke Area Conference of Christians and Jews for volunteer service in the community. This is the fourth year the organization has presented its Brother/Sisterhood Youth Awards as part of National Brotherhood Week.
Desai, like most of the other students being honored, has a schedule that would tax even the most energetic of adults.
A senior at Northside High School, Desai is working toward an advanced studies diploma with the Governor's Seal. She ranks 16th in her class and maintains a 3.68 grade point average. Her schedule includes several advanced classes, including calculus and French 5. She has had perfect attendance for the past two years.
The grades don't come easily, Desai said. She spends up to six hours a day on homework, in between acting as her younger sister's chauffeur and helping her mother run the family business. "But school comes first," she said. "That's my future."
On weekends, she does volunteer work at hospitals and adult homes; answers calls for TEENLINE, a telephone counseling service for young people; and tutors in math and science. She belongs to several clubs and organizations at school, as well as the Roanoke Valley Indian Association.
"I enjoy helping other people. It makes me feel very good, like I've accomplished something."
To earn money she has worked as a baby sitter and a waitress. In the spare time she has, Desai likes to hang out with her friends, watch movies and take tennis lessons. But a lot of her free time is devoted to catching up on sleep, she said.
A turning point in Desai's life came two years ago, when her father was killed by an angry tenant over an apartment he owned. Instead of souring her on life, her father's death made Desai more determined to understand and help people with problems.
It also gave her the will to learn to support herself before she has a family. Unlike most Indian women, who are encouraged to be passive, Desai's mother took an active interest in the family business. If she hadn't, Desai said, she doesn't know how her mother and sister and she would have survived.
"She's very strong-willed," and has been a good example for her, Desai said about her mother.
Although her parents are from India, Desai was born in New Jersey. People are curious about her because there are few Indians in Roanoke, but she is proud of her heritage and culture, and gets "really fed up" with racism.
Desai already has been accepted at the University of Richmond, and plans to take premed courses. After college, she hopes to go to medical school. She would like to be a psychiatrist or psychologist.
Desai said what makes her different from other teen-agers is her outlook on life. Because of her father's death, she said, "I'm aware of life and realistic stuff in general, like death. I realized things end. It keeps me from being swallowed up in insignificant things."
And about the name: Desai was named for an Indian actress who was starring in a popular movie at the time she was born. She likes it, but don't ask about it again.
Desai and the other honorees will be recognized at a banquet on Feb. 17.
Other nominations for the 1992 Brother/Sisterhood Youth awards are:
\ Jacqueline Amy Loeb, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waldemar Oelschlager and Jack Loeb; North Cross School; Triangle chairman, tutor at West End Community Center, past class president and vice president, Amnesty International.
\ Eric Lewis, son of the Rev. and Mrs. Lee Lewis; William Fleming High School; Roanoke City Youth Advisory Committee, Roanoke Valley Baptist Association's Youth Board Chaplain, volunteer work for Explore Park and Democratic Party.
\ Courtney Tucker, daughter of E. Montgomery and Judith Tucker; Patrick Henry High School; RAM House, political campaign for Brandon Bell, aerobics for Ronald McDonald House, National Junior Beta Club, Youth Advisory Committee.
\ Suzanne Michelle Honeycutt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Honeycutt; Lord Botetourt High School, student council member, Students Against Drunk Driving, Key Club, church volunteer, Kiwanis community project fund raiser.
\ Alison Kaye Bolt, daughter of Glenn and Glynda Bolt; Glenvar High School; Keyette Club, RAM House, Red Cross, Youth Haven II, Rescue Mission, Ronald McDonald House, United Way, March of Dimes, Salvation Army.
\ April Lynn Teaford, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Teaford; James River High School; Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout volunteer, Ruritan Club, PTA helper, volunteer at Natural History Museum of Martinsville, school yearbook.
\ Aruna Channaiah, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Channaiah; William Byrd High School; International Studies Program, UNICEF, Clean Valley Council, candy striper at Community Hospital, Students Against Drunk Driving, student council.
\ Kenton E. Shiner, son of Dr. and Mrs. Philip T. Shiner; Cave Spring High School; 500 hours volunteer work at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, church volunteer, school athletics videographer.
\ Deanna M. Garrett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Garrett; Salem High School; Roanoke Memorial Hospital volunteer, surgical and admission departments.
\ Beth Ann Fox, daughter of George and Barbara Fox; Roanoke Catholic School; candy striper, Girl Scout volunteer, church work, crop walk, Sunday School, volunteer baby sitter for church programs.
\ Joseph Matthew Wike, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wike; Roanoke Valley Christian School, Young Life, Bible study group, church fund-raising, Boy Scouts, Sunday school teacher.