ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 18, 1996 TAG: 9611190042
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Extra Credit
Name: Amy Williams
Age: 14
School: Northside High School
Year: Freshman
What she has done for others: Amy has spent many hours volunteering at Lewis-Gale Medical Center.
She began because of her interest in the medical field and because, as she said, laughing, she ``heard it looks good on your resume.''
She filled ``hundreds of water pitchers, ran off zillions of copies on the copy machine, and walked thousands of miles running all sorts of errands,'' the staff of 5th Floor West wrote in their letter of nomination. Amy also answered the phones, brought patients drinks and took patients down to their cars upon discharge.
``I enjoyed taking people down when being discharged. They were happy to be going home and thanked me for all my help, but I really didn't do much,'' she said.
``I enjoyed meeting all the workers, seeing what they were doing. I liked being around other people best. They give you a lot of advice. One girl [patient] had a disease related to smoking. She gave me a big lecture about it.''
Amy stood out from other volunteers because, ``she would do anything you asked her to do,'' said Carolyn Campbell, a secretary on 5 West. ``She was the first volunteer to come up and offer to do something.''
``Amy's big smile and willing attitude endured throughout the summer,'' wrote the staff of 5 West in their letter. ``She seemed to enjoy being helpful. Amy is back at school, but she left us with an inspiration of a positive, enthusiastic attitude.''
``She was like a shining star. She wanted to learn everything about every department. She's a real asset. I wish I had a dozen more like her,'' said Patty Altizer, Lewis-Gale's volunteer coordinator.
Amy plans to continue volunteering at the hospital during her vacations and again next summer. As part of her church youth group, she also helped out at the Rescue Mission, serving in the dining room, cleaning tables and sorting clothes.
Other activities: Amy was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society in middle school and has sung in the choir at school. She hopes to join the high school choir. She has been a Girl Scout and is a member of the Medical Explorers Club, sponsored by the Boy Scouts. The group visits various departments at Lewis-Gale and other medical facilities to learn about careers in medicine.
I would like people to think of me as...: ``caring, responsible, happy and fun to be around.''
In my free time I like to...: ``read Stephen King and love stories, play games on the computer, hang out with friends and Rollerblade.''
What I'd like to change about the world: ``The violence and especially drugs. I'd like to see a place where there were no Rescue Missions and where you didn't have to have insurance to be cared for in a hospital.''
What I'd like to change about myself: ``Sometimes I'm kind of shy. I'd like to not be so shy.''
My greatest thrill has been... : ``being older. I'm not going to middle school anymore and I only have one more year until I drive. I liked being initiated into National Junior Honor Society.''
My major goal in life is...: ``to finish high school and get good grades so I can get scholarships, go to college and maybe be a speech pathologist. After all that, I think I'll get married and have kids, but not before. A career is more important first.''
People I most admire: ``My parents. My dad's always pushing me to do well so I can go to college so I can fulfill my dreams. My mom always has good advice.''
Best advice I've received is ...: ``to be myself.''
My dream date: ``The boy has to be in my grade, has to be taller than me [more than 5'3''], has to be nice, has to not think about himself all the time. He has to be honest, and we have to have some of the same interests.''
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: CINDY PINKSTON/Staff. Amy Williams stood out from otherby CNBsummer volunteers at Lewis-Gale Medical Center because, ``she would
do anything you asked her to do,'' said Carolyn Campbell, a
secretary at the hospital. ``She was the first volunteer to come up
and offer to do something.'' color.