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Olivia Lepore is 17 years old, a senior at Victor Central School, lives with her mom and dad, Kerstin and Paul Lepore, and has a 21 year-old sister named Alyssa.
What activity or project have you tackled that has been the most rewarding? Muscular Dystrophy Camp
How did you get involved with that project? Through an organization at school called Helping Hands. It allows students to get involved with a variety of volunteer opportunities.
What makes it rewarding? Muscular Dystrophy is a disorder that weakens your muscles over time. When I had first heard about it I was very interested in the camp because I’m going to college for nursing. I was determined to be a counselor and help change the life of a kid who has limited opportunities. The application and interview were tough as it is a serious disorder and some of the kids have many different medicines you have to take care of. When I had found out that I was going to be a counselor I was very excited. The boy I had was named Jeremiah and he has changed who I am as a person. What he struggles with and how he lives is completely different than my life. But he always had on a smile and knew that everything would be okay. What made this camp so rewarding was how much this camp means to the kids. They can only do so much at home and the activities for them at camp are endless. When the kids had their whole heart into it, so did you. Not only did it make me want to be nurse even more, it made me realize that helping kids and other people is a passion in my life.
Who has most inspired you to be the person you are today? The person who has inspired me to be who I am today is my mom. She is the best person ever and my best friend. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her. The faith in Christ she has is amazing. Not only being one of my youth group leaders, she has helped me realize what is most important in life. Her compassion for others is the best thing. She has taught me many things over the years and everything has made a difference. She will always put someone first, even though she might be feeling the worst. She has inspired me in ways I can’t even imagine. I can’t thank her enough for what she has done.
Olivia Lepore is 17 years old, a senior at Victor Central School, lives with her mom and dad, Kerstin and Paul Lepore, and has a 21 year-old sister named Alyssa.
What activity or project have you tackled that has been the most rewarding? Muscular Dystrophy Camp
How did you get involved with that project? Through an organization at school called Helping Hands. It allows students to get involved with a variety of volunteer opportunities.
What makes it rewarding? Muscular Dystrophy is a disorder that weakens your muscles over time. When I had first heard about it I was very interested in the camp because I’m going to college for nursing. I was determined to be a counselor and help change the life of a kid who has limited opportunities. The application and interview were tough as it is a serious disorder and some of the kids have many different medicines you have to take care of. When I had found out that I was going to be a counselor I was very excited. The boy I had was named Jeremiah and he has changed who I am as a person. What he struggles with and how he lives is completely different than my life. But he always had on a smile and knew that everything would be okay. What made this camp so rewarding was how much this camp means to the kids. They can only do so much at home and the activities for them at camp are endless. When the kids had their whole heart into it, so did you. Not only did it make me want to be nurse even more, it made me realize that helping kids and other people is a passion in my life.
Who has most inspired you to be the person you are today? The person who has inspired me to be who I am today is my mom. She is the best person ever and my best friend. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her. The faith in Christ she has is amazing. Not only being one of my youth group leaders, she has helped me realize what is most important in life. Her compassion for others is the best thing. She has taught me many things over the years and everything has made a difference. She will always put someone first, even though she might be feeling the worst. She has inspired me in ways I can’t even imagine. I can’t thank her enough for what she has done.
How do you balance all your time commitments? Balancing time is very important but I’m not the best at it. My parents do a lot for me to help me balance what is important. But when I know I have to get something done, it always comes first. School, church, basketball and youth group are top priorities and I always make time for them.
What do you could choose any career in the world, what would you be? I’d want to be a nurse even if I could pick any career. I want to be able to help people and enjoy my work. I want to make relationships with the patients and know that I’m doing something for them. I can’t wait to start.
What’s on your iPod? Who Am I-Casting Crowns; What Faith can do-Kutless; My Own Little World-Matthew West; City On Our Knees-Toby Mac; I like it-Enrique Iglesias; Hey Baby-Pitbull and T-Pain; No surprise-Daughtry; Grenade- Bruno Mars; Pyramid-Charice and Iyaz
What do you do for fun? I love playing basketball. I also like to play other sports in my yard for fun. I like going to the movies and mall with my friends. I like watching sports games on TV and playing sports video games with my sister. Also one of my favorite things to do for fun is to stay home and watch movies all day long. I enjoy listening to music and going to different concerts as well.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? I want to travel to Africa. Seeing the kid’s faces that have absolutely nothing and still the joy they have in life is astounding. I want to talk to them and show them that people care. From hearing about mission trips people have gone on, it changes more of you than it does even them. I want to be able to see how much we really take for granted and how much they need. As much as a vacation to a sweet country would be fun, going to Africa would be more rewarding even if there is nothing.
What’s your favorite food? My favorite food is rice and Chinese. Pizza would have to be a high second though.
What's your best advice for other students your age? My advice for students my age is to always have faith and stick to what you believe in and to never give up. Be who you want to be. One of my favorite lines from a song is “It’s never too late to get back up again”. As much as life can knock you down, you will never be down forever. Another piece of advice would be that one person can make a difference in their own way. There is a bigger picture outside of your own life, and you won’t have a greater feeling than doing something that will help someone else.
