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

DATE: MONDAY, April 24, 1995                   TAG: 9504250019
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

A PAT ON THE BACK TO:

Age: 15

School: Home schooled in Roanoke

Year: Sophomore

What she does: For the past two years, Rachel has been a peer tutor through the Refugee and Immigration Services' peer tutoring program. After she expressed an interest in volunteering, Rachel's mother brought from the library a list of places in need of help. Because Rachel had a lot of experience helping her sisters with schoolwork, she thought helping someone else with it would be something she could do.

Rachel helps Le Viet Uyen (pronounced win), who came here from Vietnam almost two years ago, with homework, reading and problems in learning English.

``Uyen was a very good student in Vietnam,'' Rachel said. ``She didn't speak any English when she came here. Now she does pretty well.''

Rachel also has befriended Uyen, helping her adapt to the American lifestyle and culture. Like any teen-ager, Uyen is concerned with how she dresses.

``She's asked me what colors are good for girls to wear,'' Rachel said. ``In Vietnam boys wear pink, girls wear blue. She always asks me if I like what she's wearing.''

``I think I've helped her feel more comfortable living here. She asks me what people like and what they like to do and I help her with that. Her family has brought Vietnamese food to our house and we've shared American food with them.

``Every time I leave, Uyen says, `Thank you, thank you very much.'''

Pat Baril, education liaison at Refugee and Immigration Services, commends Rachel for being the peer tutor who has worked with the same student for the longest period of time.

``She does what she says she will and is very serious about what she does. Yet, she has a deep sense of humor. She's a really good role model. Because Rachel is home schooled, she has to draw on her own resources a lot.''

Uyen said, ``It's important to have someone my own age teaching me. She's nice and friendly and makes me think everyone in America is good.''

Rachel also volunteers in the Roanoke Valley SPCA's pet therapy program. Once a month, she takes animals from the agency's shelter to nursing homes, talking with residents and letting them interact with the animals. ``Sometimes it's kind of sad in the nursing homes,'' she said. ``It's neat when people respond to the animals. The pets really cheer them up.''

Other activities: Rachel sings in the church choir at Grace Baptist Temple and is in the sign language choir. This involves learning to sign to music. She also helps her mom, who sells crafts at home parties. She's saving her money for a mission trip to India next year.

What she's learned: ``You've got to be patient with people because it sometimes takes a while for them for catch on. Sometimes I have to remind myself to be patient.''

With Uyen's two little brothers often underfoot, Rachel has had to learn to keep Uyen focused on the schoolwork they're doing together.

Uyen has taught Rachel about Vietnam and its culture.

``It's interesting working with someone from another country,'' Rachel said. ``It's a good experience for me because I'm going to be a missionary someday.

``I'm glad I can help someone like Uyen and make her feel more comfortable. This type of help will carry over to my missionary work.''

Future plans: After Rachel finishes high school at home (she takes annual tests to determine her competency in all subjects), she plans to become a missionary in India, probably through her church's program, because ``that's where I think God wants me to go.''

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. Include your name and phone number. Mail nominations to Extra Credit, c/o Features Department, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010

This twice-monthly column spotlights 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).