News and Events

2008

Teen Volunteers Are Scholars, Too

School may be out for the summer, but several teens who have given their time to volunteer during their summer vacation have received rewards for their exceptional work. These dedicated teen volunteers will be heading off to college in the fall with one of the 2008 Volunteer Gift Shop scholarships, which will help defray their freshman year college expenses. Seven outstanding teen volunteers were awarded $2,500 scholarships supporting their college education.

“These young volunteers have impacted the lives of our patients and their families,” says Susan French, executive director of the department. “They have worked hard and well deserve the scholarships.”

The Volunteer Gift Shop Scholarship Committee is chaired by Caroline Sabin, a volunteer representative from The Junior League of Houston, Inc. The scholarship committee selected the following teens as the 2008 scholarship recipients:

Kim Doughty, a graduate of Alvin High School, will attend the United States Naval Academy in the fall, where she plans to major in political science. From 2005 to 2008, she has volunteered at the Popcorn Cart, the Gift Shop, the Beauty Barber Shop, and more. In addition to her volunteer work at M. D. Anderson, she also volunteered at the 2007 Special Olympics as an event worker and at Camp Leo, a camp for handicapped children. At school, she lettered in varsity cheerleading, was the highest-ranking commanding officer in her high school’s ROTC and was also a Color Guard commander.

As a teen volunteer, Dana Cortez has enjoyed connecting with patients and working with children. A recent graduate of Lamar High School, Dana began volunteering at     M. D. Anderson in the summer of 2005 and has worked in the library for four summers. In the fall, she will attend the University of Houston. A member of the cross country team and the National Honor Society, she also volunteered as a student minister at Lakewood Church and as a tutor for fellow students at her high school.

Natalie Lester is taking her characteristic smile and her talents to the University of Notre Dame, where she plans to continue her volunteer work. She volunteered since the summer of 2005 as a floor host, Coffee Craft Cart worker, and a Gift Shop volunteer. A recipient of various academic awards, she was recognized as a National Merit Commended Student, a College Board AP Scholar and a recipient of the California Institute of Technology Signature Award. At St. Agnes Academy, she lettered in varsity soccer, was the treasurer for Student Council and tutored classmates during lunch. Along with her volunteer work at M. D. Anderson, Natalie attended several mission trips to Mexico and Maryland, worked at the Houston SPCA and even volunteered to be the neighborhood Easter bunny, handing out candy and posing for pictures with children.

A graduate of Bellaire High School, Arani Sen will be attending the Texas A&M University College of Science. At M. D. Anderson, he had many different responsibilities as a volunteer, helping in the Library, Patient Education, the Cyber Center, the Popcorn Cart and more.  He was also active at school as a member of the Bellaire men’s lacrosse team as a goalie, the Hindu Student Council, the National Honor Society and played the violin and the viola for the orchestra. He also devoted his time to volunteer at the West University Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Lunch and at the North America Bengali Conference.

From her time at Volunteer Staff Support to brewing up goodness at the Coffee Craft Cart, Stacey Isidro has generously devoted her time at M. D. Anderson since 2005. A graduate of the Michael E. Debakey High School for Health Professions, she will be attending Rice University in the fall. She was involved in numerous organizations, including Student Council, Business Professionals of America and Prom Committee. Outside of M. D. Anderson, Stacey helped build ramps for physically challenged children, tutored younger students, sold tickets at the International Festival and volunteered at the Thanksgiving Feast of Sharing.

Along with her twin sister, Tracey Isidro has successfully volunteered since 2005. Also a Coffee Craft Cart worker and a member of the Volunteer Staff Support, Tracey says that “patients’ smiles are such a gratifying reward.” Tracey will also be attending Rice University. She was a member of many different student groups, including the Cure-N-Cancer, a group that she co-founded that educates students about cancer prevention, a violinist for the Houston Youth Symphony and a member of the Model United Nations club. Tracey served food to the homeless with Hands Helping Hands, tutored students in chemistry, and helped at the Eeyore 5K Fun Run.

Akshar Patel, a graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School, will be attending the University of Scranton. He discovered that he enjoyed interacting with patients while volunteering at M. D. Anderson. He has worked as a Patient Discharge Host, a volunteer at the Cyber Center and has assisted at several volunteer orientations. Akshar has a goal to work serving others throughout his life, and will continue to volunteer during college. In high school, he was the vice-president of Science Club, a Spanish National Honor Society member and a member of Health Occupation Students of America. He also assisted at the Fort Bend Women’s Shelter, the Great Wood Retirement Home and at the India Culture Center of Houston.

The teens have all volunteered at M. D. Anderson for a minimum of two years and have each worked an average of 305 volunteer hours.

“It is a pleasure for those of us in the gift shops to honor these outstanding teens,” says Sandy Gomel, manager of retail operations for the gift shops. “We’re delighted that our proceeds allowed the Department of Volunteer Services to award seven scholarships this year. The contributions of these young volunteers help make the scholarships possible."