THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9505310128
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: By SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
Six years ago, Andrea Warren watched as doctors and nurses cared for her father after he had been seriously injured in an automobile accident.
The experience made such an impact that Andrea decided to pursue a career in medicine, either medical research or as a physician.
``Last year, I became really motivated,'' she said. ``My friends were in the top 10 of the class, and it was really competitive. I wanted to be in the top five.''
The Lakeland High School senior chose a tough academic curriculum, including A.P. English, A.P. Chemistry, Calculus, dual-credit American History, four years of Honors English, four years of Spanish, Honors Chemistry, Physics, and Advanced Math.
She will graduate with a 4.295 grade-point average and is fifth in her graduating class of 226. She plans to enroll at the College of William and Mary in the fall to major in chemistry.
Andrea, who admitted that selecting a college was difficult, was also accepted at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Virginia and Roanoke College.
``I chose the College of William and Mary because it's close to home. I had attended Governor's School there and liked it, and they gave me a grant,'' she said.
Andrea was selected recently by the Suffolk branch of the American Association of University Women as recipient of its fourth annual Equity in Education scholarship.
The $750 scholarship seeks to encourage local female high school graduates interested in continuing their studies in the fields of math, science, technology or other non-traditional areas for women.
Due to her interest in a medical career, Andrea enjoyed working as a junior volunteer at Obici Hospital during the summer of 1993. She was responsible for making beds, bringing juice or water to patients, answering phones and doing secretarial work.
Last summer, Andrea attended the Governor's School for four weeks to study chemistry, a subject that she says is both fun and challenging.
Her chemistry teacher said that Andrea ``is the type of student who works for the long-term knowledge and not just for the grade. She is a perfectionist in all aspects of her academic work.
``She demonstrates a strong talent for problem solving, an extremely good memory, and a very strong motivation to be the best.''
In addition to her academic ability, Andrea is a gifted musician. She has been a principal flutist in the Lakeland Blue Wave marching and concert band, and is the captain of the marching band's mallet percussion section.
An active member of Saint Mary's of the Presentation Catholic Church, Andrea is the youth group vice president and a Sunday school teacher for third-graders. She frequently plays the flute, guitar and piano for the youth group and for Christmas pageants.
``I love playing classical Mozart on the piano, but Beatles' songs on the guitar,'' she said, with a smile. ``I hope to have a shiny black, grand piano someday.''
As a member of the Beta Club, Andrea has worked with the Adopt-A-Highway Program. She also has served as a 4-H camp counselor, Salvation Army soup kitchen worker, and prepared lunches for volunteer workers for Habitat for Humanity.
Andrea is quickly becoming a seasoned traveler. During spring break, she spent nine days in England and Scotland with her A.P. English class on an educational tour. Shortly after graduation, she plans to take a trip to the Philippines with her best friend. They will fly into Manila and then travel by boat to visit with her friend's relatives for three weeks.
The daughter of George and Nancy Warren of Old Myrtle Road, Andrea has a 13-year-old brother, Paul Jason. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Andrea Warren will graduate fifth in her class from Lakeland High
with a 4.295 grade-point average.
by CNB