Student takes pride in helping others
Although she has been bouncing off ideas for her lifelong career plan, right now Elizabeth Brown is content on just helping people and reaping the rewards of seeing her actions bring a smile to others' faces.
Elizabeth Brown, a freshman at Augusta Preparatory Day School, has been a volunteer with the Red Cross' Youth Board for the past two years. She hopes to continue her work with the organization.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"It definitely opens you up to some great things that you can become involved in," said Elizabeth of her volunteer work with the American Red Cross' Augusta Chapter. "We do a lot with the Gracewood (State School and Hospital) patients and having dinner parties with them. It's a wonderful experience."
Elizabeth, who has been volunteering with the local Red Cross since her eighth-grade Spanish teacher made the suggestion, said she hopes to continue her work with the organization throughout high school and possibly beyond.
"Elizabeth Brown stands out from her peers by exemplifying a consistently positive attitude and an unfailing work ethic," said Gina Turner, the teen's former Spanish teacher at Augusta Preparatory Day School, where Elizabeth is now a freshman. "I thought Elizabeth would be great for the Red Cross because of these attributes, as well as her sense of responsibility to the community and her boundless energy."
Lynn Reese, director of volunteer and youth services with the Red Cross' Augusta Chapter, agrees.
"She is wonderful," said Reese of Elizabeth, who also participates on her school's swim team and is a member of the chorus. She also plans to try out for varsity soccer in the spring.
Elizabeth, the 14-year-old daughter of Mike and Jill Brown of Evans, counts painting, writing, scrapbooking and reading among her other interests.
"My favorite class is English," she said. "And my teacher, Ms. Jones, I love her so much. She has so much to offer."
The admiration is mutual. Debbi Jones, a ninth-grade English teacher at Augusta Prep who has been teaching for 26 years, said Elizabeth's work ethic is without a doubt a notch above most youngsters her age.
"Her resilience is remarkable for a ninth grader," Jones said. "She is not thwarted by a challenging honors curriculum, neither does she whine about her workload. Instead, she arrives each day prepared to discuss the details of what she has read and eager to explore a more sophisticated style in her writing."
Jones said she is fortunate to have students such as Elizabeth, who are positive and support one another in their quest for learning.
"Well mannered, unassuming and generous in spirit, Elizabeth contributes an infectious smile and laugh to that atmosphere every day," she said.