By Debbie Shelly, Assistant Editor, The Catholic Commentator
As Kate Frederic, 17, a member of Holy Rosary Church, St. Amant, was announced as the youth individual division winner at the Volunteer Ascension’s Volunteer of the Year Award Banquet in May, the contest judges commented, “Wow, you do all that?” Frederic, who has volunteered for 40 hours a month for the past four years, smiles as she says helping others motivates her.
A lifetime member of Holy Rosary, Frederic volunteers as a youth leader, church usher and altar server for Holy Rosary. She is also active at the diocesan level as a third-year member of the Diocesan Youth Board (DYB). She has assisted in retreats for youth, fundraisers and social programs, counseled and mentored during group activities. Frederic is an active 4-H member, volunteer demonstrator at a local dance studio and helps with Special Olympics each year.
One of Frederic’s favorite volunteer activities is working as a counselor at an asthma camp. Born with asthma, and hospitalized periodically, Frederic misses school and works very hard to meet her honor-roll requirements, fulfill her volunteer commitments and overcome misconceptions about the seriousness of her illness through awareness. “I wasn’t brought up to feel sorry for myself,” Frederic explained. “You do what you have to do and get on with it.” Frederic said she enjoys working with asthmatic youth and inspiring them to pursue their goals and dreams without focusing on their limitations. Because she has been through the challenges the young kids are facing, she helps them overcome their frustrations and fears.
“When I was first diagnosed, nobody really explained what it meant to me,” said Frederic, who wants to make sure that there is someone to answer the asthmatic kids’ questions. Frederic’s medical condition has inspired her to pursue a medical career. She participates in the Allied Health Program, where high school students with a high grade point average volunteer in the medical field. Frederic plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing and become a physician’s assistant.
Wanting to make the most of her life, Frederic tries to be the positive role model that older teens were to her when she was growing up. “I wanted to be like the big kids,” said Frederic, who is enjoying her turn as “the big kid” touching young lives.
This article and information came from The Catholic Commentator. The full issue is available at http://www.diobr.org/tcc/2008/080702tcc.pdf