Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 9, 1995 TAG: 9510100043
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: NANCY GLEINER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Age: 14
School: Roanoke Valley Christian School:
Year: Ninth grade
What she does: Erin volunteers once a week in the Sparks program at Shenandoah Baptist Church in Botetourt County. She helps children in kindergarten through second grade in both their studies and in play. Erin helps them learn Bible verses and with crafts, plays games with them and assists the leader in teaching the children how to be good to themselves and to each other.
Erin also volunteers in the church's nursery once a month on Sunday mornings, playing with the 3-year-olds and helping them with church-related activities.
``Erin has a great way with children and encourages them in their work,'' Donna Osborne wrote in her nomination letter. Osborne is director of the Sparks program. ``All the children love her and look at her as their `big sister.'''
In a telephone interview, Osborne said ``Erin is a very responsible, dependable and caring teen-ager. She fits in well with the children and they love to go to her because she's just that kind of person.''
Osborne is the leader of the middle school-age youth group, which Erin belonged to last year; Erin moved up to the high school group this year.
``Erin will go the extra mile in working with kids and adults, too. She's the kind of kid you can ask to do anything; she's glad to do it,'' Osborne said. ``Erin is real involved in everything that's going on and she's a very good student, too.''
Why she does it: ``A lot of my friends were involved in the church programs and I thought it would be a good opportunity to work with kids. I like little kids a lot.''
School activities: Erin has played flute in the school band for two years and is a right fielder on the school's softball team.
Other activities: She has taken art lessons for five years and has been on swim teams for four years. Erin is very active in her church youth group and discipleship group, going on field trips with them to educate people about the church. She has also been a member of 4-H for four years.
This past summer, she helped remodel a missionary house for her church, painting, sewing and running errands.
What she likes best: When the children learn Bible verses, ``I get to learn them with them,'' Erin said. ``I like to see the kids cooperate. A lot of the kids won't cooperate with you, but when you get them alone and away from other kids, they're really good. I guess they just like to act up around their friends.''
Obstacles: ``Not knowing how to discipline them when they won't listen to you.''
What she's learned: ``I've learned to be more patient. They [the children] say, `I want it now' and you may be doing something else. You have to be patient with them and teach them to be patient, too.
``It's amazing how fast they learn, how quick their minds are.
``I feel good about volunteering; I feel I''m helping someone and not seeking glory for myself.''
\ 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).
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
by CNB