Yasmine Arrington’s biggest life lesson has been the most difficult one as well. “My mother’s death has had the greatest impact on my life. She died at the beginning of my freshman year in high school. This was a very trying time for me—to adjust to a new school, new friends, a heavy workload, while grieving. Her death made me realize that life is too short to waste. It helped me to be strong.” This Washington, D.C., junior writes for her high school newspaper, is a teen advocate for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, and is active in LearnServe, an organization dedicated to teen leadership. The 16 year old also earned her Girl Scout Silver Award with a presentation of a program she designed called “Making Good Choices.” Yasmine wants to major in international business in college, with a minor in linguistics and foreign language.
“My 9-year-old brother fighting leukemia for the past year has taught me to be strong,” says Emily Brode, 16, from Rawlings, Md. “He pushes past his sickness to be above average as a student, an intuitive son, and an amazing younger brother. Many people who have younger siblings complain, but do not know the feeling of almost losing them. He has made the greatest impact on my life.” At her school, Emily is involved in a youth cheerleading clinic. She says, “I learned that I can take charge and have people listen to me.” A member of National Honor Society, Emily plans to attend the University of Maryland and major in sports medicine. “I am just a small-town girl wishing to succeed in life.”
Vielka Catalan, of Wilmington, Del., credits her family’s move from New Jersey to Delaware when she was 12 as having made the greatest impact on her life. “It was very hard to leave my friends and my church, and to adjust to a totally different environment. While it was very hard in the beginning, I was able to overcome by making new friends and getting involved.” This 18-year-old senior is certainly involved. She is on the girls’ soccer team, a member of National Honor Society, and on the yearbook staff. She also volunteers her time, participating in park clean-ups, Habitat for Humanity, and a Hispanic youth group. Vielka plans to study broadcast journalism in the fall at the University of Maryland.
