When I read North High School CSF adviser Lynnette Wallters letter of recommendation for Jessica, I was very sorry that the rules of confidentiality do not allow me to share it with my own students for inspiration. As secretary during her junior year, Jessica redid all the forms, put them on flash drives and made them easily accessible. She ran the school-wide Individual Tutoring Program. She handmade personalized thank you cards for fundraising volunteers. Wow. This year she is the club's president.
Jessica has volunteered over 180 hours with the Home Delivery Meals program, sorting and packing food, updating records, cleaning equipment, serving meals to the elderly and decorating the lunch area. Her compassion, caring and kindness come in part from her own struggles with kneecaps that would pop-out and leave her in braces for weeks. After three surgeries, she was able to take control of her life. She explains, "I refrain from judging those different from me, for once upon a time, these misconceptions riddled me with pain. Now I settle upon leading a life of acceptance. For regardless of race, appearance, or physical capabilities, we are all just people, meant to be treated equally by all."
