ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, September 9, 1996              TAG: 9609100097
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1    EDITION: METRO 
COLUMN: extra credit

A PAT ON THE BACK TO: MARCIE PETROCCI

Name: Marcie Petrocci

Age: 17

School: Patrick Henry High School, Roanoke

Year: Senior

What she's done for others: For the past three years, Marcie has been volunteering weekly with the Roanoke Valley Therapeutic Riding Program for the disabled. The adults and children in the program cannot ride horses without assistance and Marcie has been given a leadership position working with the horses and riders.

An experienced rider, Marcie is in control of the horse, rider and two "side walkers," who keep the rider balanced in the seat. She also ``comes out extra to help exercise, condition and train our program horses,'' wrote Susan Van Name, volunteer coordinator for the program.

``Marcie is so willing to help; she never says `no,''' Van Name said. ``She will be there as much as you need her.

``Marcie loves it. She knows it's making a difference.''

Marcie says she likes to see the kids have fun. "Some [of the riders] can't talk and it's great to see their facial expressions," she said. ``The program benefits the kids because they get to do something they really want to do. It helps them be more mobile and opens them up a little more.''

Marcie also helps with the riding programs's annual show and sometimes baby-sits for some of the children in the program.

At school, she helps out in the sports teams' training room, assisting the trainer, taping injuries and doing paper work.

She went to camp for the past three summers at the College of William and Mary, taking classes in basic sports medicine. This summer, she assisted with teaching there.

Other activities: At school, Marcie plays saxophone in the band and is in VICA, a club for students interested in health-related careers.

I would like people to think of me as ... : ``someone who likes to help others who can't do things on their own, out-going and helpful.''

In my free time I like to ...: ``go out with friends. I also ride whenever I have the time.''

What I'd like to change about the world: "I'd like to get rid of some of the bad people who cause lots of problems.''

What I'd like to change about myself: ``I tend to be shy a lot and don't share my opinion. I need to be more open.''

Most important issue facing teen-agers today: ``Probably school and drugs. School because it puts a lot of stress on people. Drugs because there are a lot of outside influences.''

The toughest lesson I've learned so far is ...: ``not to listen to what everybody else says; do what I think is right.''

My greatest thrill has been ... : ``helping the kids at the barn [in the riding program], seeing them accomplish things their parents never thought they would accomplish.''

People who have influenced me: ``My family. I don't show it, but they help me a lot. And some of my teachers who have kind of pushed me, but I don't show it to them, either.''

Best advice I've received is ... : ``to follow my heart.''

Future plans: ``I want to go to college and either become a physical therapist or athletic trainer.''

LENGTH: Medium:   69 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  PHILIP HOLMAN/Staff. Marcie Petrocci is a volunteer with
          the Roanoke Valley Therapeutic Riding Program for the disabled and 
          also helps take care of the
          horses. color.