Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, November 21, 1994                   TAG: 9411220078
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

A PAT ON THE BACK TO:

Age: 14

School: Salem High School

Year: Sophomore.

What she does: An active member of the Red Cross's youth volunteer program, Joy has helped out at Mill Mountain Zoo, Project Link (for children of drug-addicted mothers), the American Red Cross office and the Red Cross Clown Corps, in which she has been Clown of the Year for the three years she has participated. During the holiday season, Joy will help Santa answer letters from young children. In nominating Joy, Red Cross youth volunteer coordinator Thomas Stokes said, ``Joy is always so enthusiastic. Her involvement in the Clown Corps has really helped her blossom, too.''

School activities: An honor roll student, Joy is a member of the junior honor association, marching band, jazz band, pre-International Baccalaureate degree program in which she can earn college credit for courses while in high school.

Why she does it: ``I like to help other people and make them smile. When I'm a clown, I love to see people's faces light up.''

Obstacles: ``Usually the only difficulty I have is making sure I have rides and making sure I have time to do my volunteer work''.

Time it takes: Because of her studies and school activities, Joy is limited to 15 to 20 hours a month, and she volunteers full-time in summer.

\ This is the first of a twice-monthly column to spotlight a teen-ager who is using his or her own initiative to make a difference in our neighborhoods, schools and communities. We think they deserve a public thank-you for helping other people. Nominations are sent in by our readers (see guidelines below).

Extra Credit nominees must be 12-18 and volunteering of their own choice. If part of a group, the teen must have initiated the activity.

Send in the teen's name, age, phone number, what they're doing, for how long, and how it has helped someone else. Mail nominations to Extra Credit, c/o Features Department, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010