Outstanding Seniors—Outstanding Service

by Karen B. Gibbs

They’re tutors, fundraisers, missionaries and peer facilitators; carpenters, laborers and babysitters. They see a need and fill it. And their only pay is the satisfaction of knowing they made a difference in the life of another. Inside Northside applauds these six incredible high school seniors!

The hardest part about featuring outstanding seniors is selecting just a few from among the many excellent students in our area. We are indeed blessed with a rich supply of hard-working, talented and intelligent youths and extend our congratulations to them all.

Patrick Dempsey
Pope John Paul High

Patrick Dempsey has an annual service award named in his honor. Amazing, considering he’s only a student. While some of Patrick’s accomplishments—treasurer of the National Honor Society and editor-in-chief of the Jaguar Journal—merit recognition, they’re not enough to warrant his name on an annual award. That’s another story in itself, one that began with a broken dream and a broken bone.

All summer of his freshman year, Patrick trained for football, only to be sidelined with a broken wrist shortly before the first game. Wanting to contribute to his team nonetheless, he began assisting the team manager. After Katrina, Patrick spent one year away from PJP, returning the following year as team manager.

The modest volunteer describes his job in simple terms. Coach Lachney sees Patrick’s contribution in a more realistic light. Effusive in his praise for the Jaguar manager, Lachney begins, “Patrick has meant more for our football team than I could ever put into words. He’s taken a job that used to be water bottles and equipment repair and totally redefined it. He treats his job as a professional would. He inventories equipment, tells me what to order and when. He even designed the equipment room in the newly renovated athletic facility. He’s the Michael Jordan of equipment managers.”

Patrick’s go-getter enthusiasm won the admiration of team members as well as coaches, garnering for him the honor of serving as northshore equipment manager for the All Star Game in the Superdome. It wasn’t long before Patrick agreed to become manager of other teams at school—girls’ basketball (All Star manager, too), baseball and power lifting. On game days during football season, Patrick worked from 2:45 p.m. ’til sometimes as late as 2 a.m. “After the team left, I had to wash, dry and hang up the uniforms,” he explains. Remarkably, he was back at school for 9 a.m. practice.

Although there are drawbacks to being manager—fatigue, little time for study or being with family—Patrick finds that the benefits far outweigh the cost. “I know the coach and the players appreciate me. I get to sit in on coach meetings and go out to dinner with the staff. And Coach Lachney took me to my first LSU game!”

Patrick, however, never expected one perk that came during February’s awards banquet when Lachney surprised the audience, saying, “He never recorded a tackle, scored a touchdown … or kicked a field goal. In fact, his name will never appear in any stat column for any reason. But for the last two years, he was, hands down, our Most Valuable Player…. If … [it] is true that leaders are not the ones who are served … but the ones who serve … he is the definition of a leader. Most Improved doesn’t work. Best Manager doesn’t tell the whole story. Coach’s Award is too easy. [Patrick Dempsey] will be forever remembered, because we have named this new award after him.”

A standing ovation ensued. Patrick’s mom text-messaged him, “I am so proud, I’m crying.” And hers weren’t the only tears that night.

Alycia Fry
Mandeville High

Alycia Fry became involved in community service at an early age. “My mom raised me to care for others with a big, loving heart. And my step mom encouraged me to help with Vacation Bible School at my church, First Baptist in Covington. I also volunteered to work as a junior camp counselor at Camp Old Hickory and really enjoyed it.” The rest, as they say, is history.

Within her church, Alycia found other outlets for service. She worked with Hands in Hands, a church-based organization that entertains mentally and physically handicapped children while their parents attend church services. She also became an FBC nursery helper. These activities prepared the soon-to-be high schooler for the next level of service—Tri Theta.

It is through this all-girls service organization at Mandeville High School that Alycia does most of her volunteer work. As tour guide for 8th graders visiting the high school, she helped students figure out scheduling for their freshman year. She visited hospitals, delivering gifts and smiles to patients during holidays, and worked with Breakfast with Santa for children hospitalized at Christmas time. She also helped stage a toy drive for the children of Fairhaven Ministry of Hope, collecting almost 300 toys for needy children.

Children are not the only ones who benefit from Alycia’s giving heart. Now president of Tri Theta, she regularly visits the residents at Rouquette Lodge, making crafts, playing bingo, helping with their boutique and garage sales, and generally spreading sunshine. She lights up as she talks about one of her favorite residents, Ms. Annette. “I love her,” she beams. “She’s the sweetest lady. She’s from New Orleans and tells me about New Orleans at its prime. She gave me a rosary blessed by the Pope. Even though I’m not Catholic, I treasure it because it meant so much to her.”

Alycia also assisted at Tri Theta’s Christmas dinner for the elderly at the Mandeville Community Center, setting tables, serving food and cleaning up. Alycia’s father, Kevin Fry, notes that his daughter’s volunteering is time consuming, taking her from family and friends. Admittedly, the National Honor Society senior estimates she spends 60-70 percent of her free time in service to others. But she wouldn’t have it any other way. “My greatest joy is in service—meeting people and giving them a bit of happiness. I believe there are reasons God put me here, and serving others is one of them.”

Tri Theta advisor Deborah Tonguis praises the young president’s spirit. Calling Alycia a “servant leader, an inspiration and master delegator,” Tonguis goes on to compliment Alycia, saying, “Her spirit of cooperation is amazing. Tri Theta expects 40 hours of service from each girl—Alycia has over 100.”

Tonguis adds that hosting the recent mother-daughter tea for Tri Theta, Alycia was “poised, sweet and generous in spirit.” The proud teacher summed up Alycia Fry saying simply, “She models excellence for the rest of the girls.”

Donovan Carlin
Archbishop Hannan High

“Hi,” he said, with a broad smile and a firm handshake. “I’m Donovan Carlin.” Then, as we began our interview, he confessed, “I really don’t know why I was picked.” Confident humility.

Donovan may not have seen himself as the senior most involved in community service, but teachers and staff at his school did. “Donovan Carlin is the most polite, respectful and caring young man I have ever met,” states Carol Hingle, counselor at Archbishop Hannan High in Covington. “He will go out of his way to help others.”

Student council representative and football co-captain, Donovan is well known and respected by classmates. But neither the time he spends at student council meetings nor the yards he gains on the field define his essence. This young man doesn’t need the limelight when he’s doing what he does best—helping others.

Donovan explains that he and his parents have always been involved in church work. For seven years, he was an altar server at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Chalmette and CYO athletic youth coordinator. When Katrina ravaged his community, Donovan used his muscle as a recovery volunteer. “I helped clean the church,” he begins. “I swept and mopped, and helped clean the nativity set.” He also repaired other damaged structures nearby, a job Donovan describes as “the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

After the storm, Donovan and his parents moved to Hickory, La. For one year, Donovan attended Pope John Paul II High School, where students voted him Favorite New Sophomore Student of 2006. When Archbishop Hannan High resumed classes on the northshore, Donovan rejoined his classmates and continued to make his mark. He was school representative for Commitment Day, a program aimed at improving inter-racial understanding and harmony. He also represented Hannan High at the Teen Focus on Safe Driving event in Mandeville, subsequently sharing what he learned at a school assembly.

An avid amateur magician, Donovan performed magic shows at Hannan’s summer camp. He also helped with special-ed children at Mandeville Elementary and volunteered his services at a fundraiser at his mother’s school.

One of Donovan’s favorite volunteer venues is Boy Scout summer camp, where he works behind the scenes. “I just love being there,” he says enthusiastically. In Gonzales, Donovan and the entire Hannan football team volunteer to visit and read to underprivileged kids. In the eyes of the children, Donovan and his teammates, dressed in their team jerseys, were heroes, but the team regarded the students as heroes, too, for giving their best despite having so little.

As a volunteer, Donovan gives more than just his time. He also gives his blood, something he says makes him feel “really special.”

An altruistic young man, Donovan is modest and honest when describing why he helps people. “It’s hard to do for others, but I do it because it’s the right thing to do.” And with a nod of his head and a smile on his face, he need not say more.

Caitlin Naquin
Covington High

“It’s all in the little things,” Caitlin Naquin explains. “Take advantage of little opportunities you have for random acts of kindness—open a door, smile—it doesn’t have to be big.” And with that simple formula, Caitlin reveals the secret to her extraordinary life of service: seize the moment to do good.

Caitlin attributes this servant attitude to her mom, Beth Naquin, who home-schooled Caitlin and her five siblings from 1st through 8th grades. “She was always there for us, which wasn’t always easy,” she reflects. Active in both church and school, Caitlin carries a 4.5 overall average, something to remember as the list of Caitlin’s community service activities unfolds.

Since freshman year, Caitlin has helped with the yearly Thanksgiving food baskets at the Covington Food Bank. Also, she and fellow National Honor Society members helped build a house in Covington, raising the walls for grateful homeowners. “I was touched when the owners came, an older lady and her son. They tried to help us hammer, and they thanked us over and over again,” she recalls. “To actually see the family we’re helping and have them thank us teaches me just how blessed we are—and that we can’t take for granted what we have.”

As junior class vice-president, Caitlin signed up for the year-long class in leadership offered at Covington High and, through this class, helped plan birthday celebrations for teachers and also assisted with parking at football games.

For two years, the active teen helped with and participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She staged activities and raised money for the cause by selling snacks at Relay.

Outside of school, Caitlin continued to demonstrate her characteristic willingness to help. As teen leader for Challenge, the youth group at St. Peter’s in Covington, she spent six weeks in Ireland serving as Big Sister to students from Spain, Mexico and Brazil who wanted to learn English. And since the age of ten, Caitlin has been visiting Forest Manor nursing home, playing Bingo with the residents. Also, for the past eight years, she has babysat during adult services and meetings at St. Peter’s.

It is not surprising that this stellar senior was 2008 Student of the Year for Covington High School and only one of three district contestants chosen to compete on the parish level. While Caitlin’s proud of the honor bestowed upon her, she derives greater satisfaction from serving. “It gives me a sense of completion knowing I’m making a difference in someone’s life, and that I’m giving back,” she says sincerely.

Eugenie Martin, Caitlin’s teacher and NHS sponsor, is filled with praise for her student’s exemplary activities, but comments on the deeper virtue of Caitlin’s character. “Caitlin has discovered, at a young age, what many of us take a lifetime to learn—people matter most. Caitlin Naquin runs the race, as St. Paul says, ‘not in vain.’ She understands that it’s not just the goal at the end, but the way itself that matters.”

Stephen Traina-Dorge
St. Paul’s School

Stephen Traina-Dorge is a veteran leader. He learned about community service at a young age, tagging along with his parents on various projects and activities. As a 1st grader at Christ Episcopal, he participated in school service work with the Covington Food Bank, Caritas, Christwood and Head Start. Stephen credits these early experiences with fueling his inspiration to stay active within the community, even into high school.

Now in his senior year at St. Paul’s in Covington, Stephen remains dedicated not only in service, but also in leadership. A member of the PRIDE Troupe for the past three years, Stephen serves as a peer leader in his school and community, encouraging abstinence from alcohol and drugs. He is active in writing and planning the skits, songs, dances and monologues that are performed at local junior high and high schools.

Stephen becomes animated when talking about his most meaningful community project, Positive Attitude (6th-8th grades) and Positive Action (9th-12th grades) Leadership Camps sponsored by PRIDE of St. Tammany. A counselor for the past two years, Stephen coordinates activities that address stereotyping, self-esteem, leadership, communication, honesty, peer pressure and relationships. Ensuing discussions among campers promote friendship and trust, but, more importantly, Stephen believes this interaction “creates a sense of sanctuary and empowerment within each person that nurtures personal growth” and future leaders.

In addition to his affiliation with PRIDE, Stephen is active in the National Honor Society, most notably, the lunchtime tutoring program. NHS advisor Brother Rich values Stephen’s contribution to the program, praising his organization skills and generous, cheerful spirit. “As co-vice-president, Stephen shares responsibility for organizing and running the program during his lunch half-hour. He also keeps a log of tutors and their students, something that is helpful when parents or teachers check on a student’s attendance.”

In addition to PRIDE, Stephen volunteers with the Big Brother program, mentoring incoming 8th graders. An administrator, he helps plan and organize lunches, sport tournaments and other social activities aimed at easing the students’ transition into high school.

Stephen is also an active member of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), where he promotes substance-free living and safe-driving habits. While school is his primary area of community service, it is by no means his only one. Active in Christ Episcopal Church, Stephen, as a member of the youth band, is involved in the Youthcharist quarterly youth-run services. He also serves as an acolyte and crucifer at his church.

In light of his dedication to serving others, Stephen recently received two national awards for community service: Coca-Cola Scholarship finalist and Prudential Spirit of Community President’s Volunteer Service Award. In previous years at St. Paul’s, he received the Superior Achievement Silver Medal, Order of LaSalle Award and Order of Brother Alfred Award.

Recognition, however, is not what keeps Stephen active in his community. This outstanding student works for small successes. “One day of PRIDE performances at different schools may only inspire five young people to live healthier lives. One day of patching up a roof on a house in Sewanee, Tenn., may only help one family. Over time, however, these little successes add up—and individual efforts help to fix a much larger problem.”

Kailey Rocker
Hammond High

Kailey Rocker became involved with community service as a young child. She readily credits her grandmother, Ruth Rocker, and her non-profit organization, Granny’s Angels, with introducing her to the good that comes from service. While in 1st grade, Kailey received “assignments” from Granny: Do chores without being asked; be helpful. Sometimes, she reminisces, she was the only one in the group who took her homework seriously.

Kailey helped with another of her grandmother’s projects, Dimes for Dinner, where children collected dimes all year and then used the money to purchase food and Christmas gifts for an adopted family. She also got the family involved with her grandmother’s Shoeboxes for Soldiers and Shoeboxes for Children, earning money to buy items for the needy.

Steeped in her family’s tradition of caring, Kailey naturally transitioned to the Brownies when she began school. As early as 1st grade, she ministered to nursing home residents with cards and song. Fast forward to high school, and Kailey is more committed than ever to serving her fellow man. Christine Ingrassia, youth minister at Holy Ghost Church in Hammond, says that Kailey is a lector and active in youth group projects that include serving special holiday meals at the local homeless shelter and the soup kitchen; collecting blankets and pillows for the homeless in New Orleans and going on mission trips to Mexico for the past two years.

While in Mexico, the petite teen helped build a church, working with rebar and concrete. “It was so rewarding. I learned not to take for granted water, restrooms with flush toilets, and warm showers.”

Back in Hammond, Kailey and her group serve meals at Serenity House, each teen bringing a dish. Kailey also enjoys Vacation Bible School, where she’s taught classes and worked in the nursery. According to Ingrassia, “Kailey doesn’t just say she is a Christian—she lives it!”

In high school, the praise continues as Shelly Gaydos, Robotics Club advisor, describes Kailey as an outstanding student who excels academically and in service. As Key Club president, Kailey actively spearheaded fundraisers to help UNICEF, Children’s Miracle Network, Relay for Life, Kiwanis, Head Start and TARC. As a member of the Robotics Club, she volunteered to write a six-week series for the Daily Star newspaper, keeping locals updated on the progress of the robotics team. Versatile and talented, she’s worked on the electrical and mechanical teams and volunteered to develop a presentation for the first robotics team regional competition in Atlanta.

A member of Beta Club (a national honor/service organization), Kailey’s participated in many service projects such as raffles, sales, and dances to raise money for St. Jude’s and other charities. In SADD, she promoted the club’s ideas with signs and posters. And as part of Future Business Leaders of America, Kailey has participated in March of Dimes walk-a-thons each year for three years.

As a Girl Scout, Kailey completed the Silver Award project, a prestigious honor for those who undertake a large community service project. For her project, Kailey helped put on functions for younger Girl Scouts in Tangipahoa Parish, notably Girl Scout Survivor Day. Currently, Kailey is working toward her Gold Award project by planning and teaching area children about the ever-growing issues in nature.

When asked why she gives so much of herself to the community, Kailey responds that she wants “to follow the words of Gandhi, and be the change I wish to see in the world. I know that I may just be one person, but imagine how many people my actions may affect and, with that, how many people may, as a result, stretch out their hands to help others.”

Six incredible students…six miracles at work in our world.