Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 3, 1993 TAG: 9305270522
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LYNN A. COYLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Keeping up with all the senior activities and finding time to apply for college was challenge enough. Then in January, his mom, who formerly was with Dominion Bank, took a job in Columbus, Ohio.
His parents wanted him to be able to graduate with his class at Roanoke Catholic School, so while she began her new job, Bailey and his father stayed behind in Roanoke to finish the school year, pack and move. His father will transfer with Appalachian Power Co., and Chris hopes to attend Columbus State University in the fall.
Still, Bailey found time to log 269 volunteer hours this year, according to school records that don't yet include the second semester.
Roanoke Catholic requires juniors and seniors to do a minimum of 10 hours of volunteer work per school year, and five hours for eighth-, ninth- and 10th-graders. Several of this year's graduating seniors have gone far beyond those requirements, said guidance director Ann Friel.
Beth Ann Fox has put in 1,492 volunteer hours from eighth grade through the first semester of this year. From ninth grade through this year's first semester, Bailey has volunteered 353 hours, and Lauren Phelan 311 hours.
Bailey has worked on the Knights of Columbus basketball tournament held annually at the school, running the score clock and training others to run it.
During his senior year, Bailey became a volunteer with the Cave Spring Rescue Squad. His experience there led to other opportunities at school. "I'm now somewhat the senior sports trainer," Bailey said.
He wraps ankles and shins, and "anything a player needs I try to the best of my ability to help them." He also served as manager and trainer of the softball team this year.
Bailey hasn't made any final career decisions yet. "Sports medicine or sports therapy has definitely been an option for me," he said, or possibly communications broadcasting.
Fox volunteered as a candy striper at Camelot Nursing Home during the summers after seventh and eighth grades. She walked and talked with patients, passed out lunches and snacks and helped with games.
For the past four summers Fox has worked at Dark Hollow Day Camp for Girl Scouts in Salem, first as a volunteer program assistant, then last year as staff. "The greatest reward is a child's smile," she said. "That's better than money. It's better than being rich."
Fox also works with her youth group at St. Andrews Catholic Church. The group baby-sits for special church events, has adopted a highway to clean, and corresponds with an overseas child whom the group supports financially.
Fox, like five of this year's 25 graduates, has attended the school since kindergarten. She plans to attend Ferrum College and become a child psychologist or teach elementary or preschool. "I want to get them before they get attitudes," she explained.
For salutatorian Lauren Phelan, volunteering at Roanoke Catholic's after-school care program helped solidify her career decision. "I could tell right away I really enjoy working with kids," she said. "It's basically confirmed the fact that I want to be a teacher."
Phelan, who began volunteering in ninth grade when her sister worked in the program, is now employed by the after-school program. This year she's also a volunteer teacher aide with the second- and fourth-grade classes, doing everything from grading papers to taking over the class if a teacher needs to leave.
"I have definitely learned how to communicate better with people because you have to be clear with kids," said Phelan, who plans to attend the College of William and Mary.
by CNB