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

DATE: MONDAY, June 5, 1995                   TAG: 9506060029
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

A PAT ON THE BACK TO:

Age: 14

School: Patrick Henry High School, Roanoke

Year: Freshman

What she does: At age 11, Abby became the youngest-ever volunteer at the Roanoke Valley SPCA and received a commendation for her service. She has helped to build houses for Habitat for Humanity and volunteered at this year's Roanoke Festival in the Park. Abby has tutored at the West End Center, helping pupils one-on-one with homework after school.

Abby is active in the local chapter of the B'nai Brith Youth Organization, an international group that promotes leadership, social action and Judaism. Her program on homelessness won the award for best social action program at a recent BBYO regional convention. Next year, she will be chapter secretary.

``Abby has a great imagination and can put a lot of her ideas into action,'' said Jodie Caplan, BBYO chapter advisor. ``She has a vitality that keeps things exciting and thought-provoking.''

Abby recently spoke, on her own initiative, at a State Board of Education hearing on religion in the schools.

``I think the main problem with religion in schools is that people don't understand that much about religions other than their own.

``It bothers me when people are not educated enough about religion and become prejudiced against others.''

``Abby's speech was the most moving one,'' David Nova, who met Abby through BBYO and Habitat for Humanity, wrote in his nomination letter, ``and she was the youngest speaker there. She has been an inspiration to me.''

School activities: Abby was student body president at James Madison Middle School, is freshman class president at PH and will be president of the sophomore class in the fall.

``Abby has strong leadership skills and gets her goals accomplished,'' said Philip Jepson, principal at Madison. ``I never had to worry about her performing her duties as president. She often got things done ahead of time.''

Abby will be business manager of Patrick Henry's yearbook for 1995-96, chosen by teachers as the first and only sophomore on the senior staff.

Abby is a student at the Governor's School for math and science and attends The Center for advanced studies in the humanities, both honors programs. A straight-A student, Abby is a member of the national Junior Beta Club, an honor society. She is the only freshman on the school's forensics (public speaking) team.

She has won numerous awards at city and regional science fairs, and this year was nominated for the best-in-fair award at the state competition.

A Governor's School ambassador, Abby visits James Madison Middle School to answer pupils' questions about the program and gives tours.

As a member of student government, Abby organized a dunking booth to raise money for the people of Oklahoma City.

``Aside from raising money, the best part about it was seeing literally the whole school turn out for the event,'' she said.

What she's learned: ``In life, there are two kinds of people, those who will and those who will not. It takes a lot of skill to lead those who will not.

``I love my friends and being with them, but there are more important things like helping the community and the school.

Obstacles: ``People who see a problem and don't look for solutions. And those who are stuck on tradition and are not willing to look at new ideas.''

Future plans: ``Next year, as class president, I would like to help unify the school. Then we can work together to make us proud of our school.

``My top priority is succeeding in my personal goals, which include school work and community action.

``It's important for teens to get involved and become a part of the community. It's important to remember where your roots are.''

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).