Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 22, 1995 TAG: 9505240001
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Age: 14
School: Christiansburg Middle School, Montgomery County
Year: Eighth Grade
What he does: Brian started volunteering in the children's room of the Montgomery County Library's Christiansburg branch last summer. He helps children find books, reads to them, and does whatever other tasks are asked of him. But his specialty is doing projects with the children.
Brian has helped them build simple bookshelves, created fun in a bubble workshop and prepared materials for other programs.
``Everyone loves Brian, young people and adults alike,'' said Janet McNair, library assistant in charge of children's special programs. ``Brian is a joy to work with. He has a tremendous sense of humor and has a way of reaching people with it. He definitely loosens up a crowd.
``Brian makes everything light and still gets the job done.''
Brian also helps elderly neighbors with yard work, raking leaves and shoveling snow, and volunteers as needed at Christiansburg Presbyterian Church, preparing and serving meals.
School activities: Brian is on the Odyssey of the Mind team; sings tenor in the select Demon Dynamics choir; was chosen for the all-county chorus; participates in Great Exploring Middle Schoolers, a service organization; and is helping to organize an Amnesty International chapter at his local high school.
``Brian sings in every group I have and his voice is beautiful,'' said Lynn Whitescarver, his chorus teacher.
``He puts everything he has into everything he does, whether it's picking up trash or talking to an upset sixth grader he doesn't even know.
``Brian is liked not only by his teachers, but by his peers. He's nice to everyone, and that's not always easy for a middle schooler to do. He has the most compassionate heart of anyone I've ever seen.
``If I could only have 1,000 kids like him...''
``Brian is a caring, giving young man with a fantastic imagination,'' said Linda Morales-Burton, a teacher at Christiansburg Middle School and coach of the OM team. ``He's kind-hearted and makes people laugh a lot - a real live wire.
``We need more kids like Brian, who although they are very active in school activities, still have time to volunteer.''
What he's learned: ``I've learned I'm short-tempered, but I don't show it. You have to be really patient with kids and, basically, give them a lot of attention.
``Kids like it when you tell them they're doing something well. It gives them confidence.
``I'm kind of nuts. When you think in a kid's perspective, it helps work with them a lot.''
In working with the elderly, Brian enjoys ``helping someone who can't do things for themselves. I feel like I have a duty because they've been around lots longer than I have and they deserve some respect.''
Future plans: Brian's favorite pasttime is drawing, which he has incorporated into his OM participation. He's ``thought about going to college and combining computer programming with commercial or comic book artistry.
``Whatever I do, I want to do as good a job as someone thinks I should.''
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).
by CNB