Friend of homeless
D
erek Roetzel began working with the homeless as part of his school’s EAST (Environmental and Spatial Technology) program, in which students tackle realworld problems by using technology. Now, he continues extensive work with the homeless on his own, as creator and chairman of the Bridge Initiative, a program to “address homelessness in Northwest Arkansas through the creDEREK ation of personal relationships.” ROETZEL “Solutions to life problems come from a person’s supAge: 17 port network, and support networks start with the most elHometown: Springdale emental bonds between people,” Derek says. School: Har-Ber High Derek is currently working with the organization 3Bags Parent: Sharry Roetzel in 2 Days to create a marketing package to assist the group’s College plans: University efforts in addressing rural homelessness. Besides his work of Richmond with the homeless, Derek has participated in programs to benefit the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History and Hobbs State Park, among others. He was chosen for the Founders Award, the highest honor a student in the EAST program can receive. He’s an AP Scholar with Honors, a student representative to the Springdale School Board, and a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Council, and the Future Business Leaders of America. Academically, he’s taken nine Advanced Placement courses, and he ranks first in a class of 181. He plans to major in business administration and international relations.
Good listener
“M
aking a difference in the lives of others has been and always will be my first priority,” Leighton Teague writes. “My preschoolers tell me they love me after I’ve made them try all of the vegetables on their plate during our nutritional lesson. A lady in inner-city Mobile asks our group to pray with her because she’s struggling with alcoholism and wants to be a better person. I see LEIGHTON the tears on the face of a New Orleans family whose home TEAGUE we have ‘demucked’.” Age: 18 Leighton goes on mission trips with a church youth Hometown: North Little group every summer. She mentors at-risk kindergarten and Rock pre-kindergarten students as part of the STARS program, School: North Little Rock and she taught a 10-week drama class for elementary stuHigh School dents. She finds time for studies and school activities too. Parents: Scott and JenShe’s president of the Beta Club, editor of the yearbook, an nifer Teague AP Scholar of Distinction, and a cast member of NLRHS College plans: Harding fall drama productions and spring musicals. She’s a memUniversity ber of the National Honor Society and was a National Merit Semifinalist. She’s been a delegate to Girls State, and a member of the homecoming court. “My friends come to me for advice because they know no matter how busy I am, I’ll always listen,” Leighton writes. Planning a career in professional counseling, she probably has a lot of listening ahead of her.
www.arktimes.com • APRIL 27, 2011 17