ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 8, 1996 TAG: 9601110007
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Extra Credit
Name: Dana Moulse
Age: 17
School: Salem High School
Year: Senior
What makes her special: Dana's involvement in her school ranges from the Student Council Association to lettering in varsity soccer and cheerleading, where she is co-captain, to freshman and senior homecoming courts to her membership in the Keyettes, a community service organization, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
It's no wonder her peers voted her the senior superlative of most spirited.
Dana is a member of the junior and national honor societies and has a perfect attendance in high school. She was the creative and performing arts winner in Salem's Junior Miss Scholarship program and is listed in ``Who's Who Among American High School Students.''
Dana designed the cover of the 1995 Salem High School football program. Her art work was placed in Ferrum College's ``Up and Coming Artist'' show.
Buddy Ward, Salem High guidance counselor, described Dana as ``a super young person, very giving, very involved here.''
Her French teacher and cheerleading coach, Laura Bolton, said, ``She's just wonderful. If you ask her to do something, it will get done.
``Dana's a hard worker, very responsible and dependable. Being a captain, she treats everyone very fairly and is a good listener to others' ideas.''
``We're very particular about baby sitters and Dana is the best one we've ever had at our home,'' commented Bud Grey, vice president of the Roanoke Athletic Club. ``Her baby-sitting had a big role in her getting a job at the RAC.'' (Dana worked in the RAC's nursery part-time during the past year and comes in on an as-needed basis.)
``We wanted someone who would have a great personality when dealing with the kids in our nursery,'' Grey added. ``She gets down on the floor and plays with the kids. They love her. She's amazingly mature for her age.''
What she's done for others: Dana has helped teach elementary school cheerleaders. At Christmas, she and the other the Salem High cheerleaders filled goody bags for nursing home residents.
The cheerleaders donated money raised from the sale of ads for football programs to Patrick Henry High School student Christina Pruitt, who was badly burned last year. ``We also went through our closets and donated clothes to her,'' Dana said.
Dana was a member of the school's Environmental Club and was involved in its community service projects, as well as those of the Keyettes.
Other activities: Dana has taken ballet and jazz dance lessons. She also works part time at N-2 Nails.
I would like people to think of me as: ``not your typical teen-ager. I think society has stereotyped people my age. If they'd open their eyes, people would see there are more [teen-agers] who do not fit the stereotype than those who do.''
In my free time I like to: ``There isn't much. Most of the time not spent in school-related things I spend with my friends.
``One of my favorite things to do is make pottery on the wheel at school. It's kind of like a stress releaser - you start with a lump and a lot of what comes out depends on your mood.''
What I'd like to change about the world: ``Probably the pessimistic attitude a lot of people carry around.''
Most important issue facing teen-agers today: ``Drugs are a major issue. Teen-agers need to listen to what they've been taught.''
My greatest thrill has been: ``Last year, I got to cheer at a Tech game, when the school was on break. I would love to be a college cheerleader. It was a great feeling.''
My major goal in life is: ``I want to go into business, possibly major in finance. I'm the kind of person who has to work with people a lot or I'll be bored.''
What she's learned: ``You can lean on people when you need to, but you have to stand on your own two feet first. You never know what cards you'll be dished out.''
LENGTH: Medium: 79 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Wayne Deel. color.by CNB