This week we are highlighting a few of our dedicated high school volunteers. They donate their time and their skills on a weekly basis in order to help us provide our readers with great service, great books, and great programs. These teen volunteers work hard to make sure that our readers’ requests are ready for pick-up, displays are created and maintained, program materials are prepared and books are available on shelves. They do all of this while maintaining good grades at school, participating in extracurricular activities, and pursuing their personal interests and hobbies. Join us in thanking these great teens for their commitment to community service and the Fuquay-Varina Public Library.

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McCall Erickson

Background

McCall is 16 years old and will be a Junior in August at West Johnston High School. She lives in Angier and moved to North Carolina two years ago. She was born in Texas and, because her father is in the military, McCall has lived in Utah, Germany, Ohio and Virginia. McCall has an older brother who is in college. McCall’s favorite subjects are math and science and plans to go to college. She also loves music and has played the trumpet since the sixth grade. She plays in both her high school’s Concert and Marching bands. McCall entered and won a place in the 2008-2009 North Carolina All State Band. She was first selected as one of the top 5 trumpet players in her district and then selected as one of the top twelve trumpet players in the state. She performed as part of the All State Band at a special concert in April 2009 at UNC Greensboro.

Fun fact

In 2008, McCall, as part of the West Johnston High School Marching Band, played in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Her band was selected from among the hundreds of high school and college bands who apply every year.

Why I Volunteer

McCall started volunteering in libraries when she lived in Virginia. There she volunteered for the Summer Reading program and enjoyed her work. When she moved to North Carolina, she wanted to continue her involvement with reading programs and libraries. She especially enjoys the busy times at the library and likes working with readers in the Juvenile and Young Adult areas.

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Anna Kelley

Background

Anna is 16 years old and attends Fuquay-Varina High School. She will be a Junior in August. Anna has lived in Willow Springs since she was three years old and has one brother and one sister. At Fuquay-Varina High School, Anna has been active in the Key Club, a service organization, and has participated in the Key Club’s recycling program, food drives and annual Christmas party for disadvantaged kids. Anna is also involved in her church’s youth group and has participated in their mission trips. Anna loves to read, and, in her spare time, she loves to write short stories and poetry. In fact, Anna has submitted her poetry in area writing contests. When she was in middle school, Anna won an “Honorable Mention” for her poetry in the Wake County Reflections writing contest for elementary and middle school students. In the seventh grade, she won the Fuquay-Varina Woman’s Club writing contest with one of her poems and then placed third in the state-wide Woman’s Club writing contest. In the future, Anna would like to write professionally. After college, she sees herself working in a library while developing her skills as a writer.

Fun Fact

Anna met her favorite author, J. K. Rowling, in New York City recently. Anna found out that Ms. Rowling would be holding a press conference prior to a speaking engagement at Radio City Music Hall. So Anna waited outside for Ms. Rowling to appear and was able to get her autograph and take a picture with her.

Why I Volunteer

Anna enjoys the atmosphere of the library and finds everyone to be so friendly. She feels that she is accomplishing something worthwhile with the time she spends at the library – helping other readers find what they need and supporting the staff. She also enjoys learning how books are organized and displayed.

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Nicole D. Long

Background

Nicole is 16 years old and will be a rising Junior at Fuquay-Varina High School this August. She moved to Fuquay-Varina from Massachusetts when she was four years old and has one younger brother who is fifteen. Nicole’s favorite subjects are art and history. She enjoys reading, especially the young adult fantasy and romance genres. Her interest in art is demonstrated in her hobbies and career goals as well. Nicole enjoys painting – both oil and watercolors – and has entered her paintings in several juried art shows over the years. She also likes to sew and wants to be a fashion designer some day. Her plans are to attend college and minor in business so that she can manage her own fashion business someday.

Fun Fact

In 2008, Nicole submitted four paintings to the juried art show sponsored by Joyful Sounds Studio in Fuquay-Varina and all of her paintings won prizes. One of her oil paintings won “First in Show” and one of her watercolors won a “First” for her age group.

Why I Volunteer

Nicole volunteers at the library because she likes helping others. She feels that volunteering at the library provides her with the work experience that will prepare her for jobs in the future. Her volunteer experience provides her with the opportunity to work with others as part of a team, answer readers’ questions, and meet deadlines.

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Aaron V. Thomas

Background

Aaron is 17 years old and will be entering his senior year at Harnett Central High School this coming year. He was born in North Carolina and has lived in Fuquay-Varina since the sixth grade. Aaron has one younger brother. In addition to his volunteer duties at the library, Aaron maintains a full schedule. He works part-time at McDonald’s, plays trumpet, mellophone and the French horn in his high school’s Marching band, and is active in the Senior Beta Club, a high school service organization. As part of the Senior Beta Club, Aaron has helped organize many service programs such as the ”Relay for Life” fundraiser for cancer research. Aaron enjoys reading about history – especially how the past influences our lives today. Aaron is enrolled in several Advanced Placement (AP) classes as he prepares for college. He would like to attend UNC Chapel Hill as a pre-law major. Aaron plans to go on to law school and continue his service to the community in which he lives.

Fun Fact

Aaron was the Drum Major for his high school’s Marching band this past year, and will serve again in that role next year. As the Drum Major, he leads the band during parades and competitions.

Why I Volunteer

Aaron feels that community service is an important part of his life. He finds that working at the library is a great way to give back to the community for all of the opportunities he has received. He feels that the library is a good environment to work in and especially likes helping younger readers to find books that interest them.

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DID YOU KNOW . . . ?

You can volunteer at the library, too. If you are at least 15 years old, you can sign up for volunteer duties at the Fuquay-Varina Public Library. We always need help with the many books, programs, activities, displays, and reader requests we manage each week. If you’re interested in working with our library team of staff and volunteers, contact Natalie Burns at (919) 557-2788.