44°
CROSS RIVER, N.Y. Six John Jay High School students have been learning that a good education goes beyond the boundaries of a classroom, while giving back to the community by volunteering for the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
The students put in three to six hours a week with the corps while receiving an education in CPR and first aid, as well getting 12 hours of training and participating in weekly drills.
Some of these young volunteers are new to the corps, while others have been members for years.
Julia Zuckerberg, now a senior at John Jay, joined two-and-a-half years ago. Her father is the medical director, so she has known about the organization for a long time. She describes the environment as warm and caring. Her main duties as a junior volunteer are to calm patients and to put them at ease. Although intending to pursue an art degree, Zuckerberg feels the training she has received will always be helpful.
Jesse Musich, a junior, has been with the corps for four months. Her mother is an driver for the corps. Musich, who has a love for science, said she has always wanted to be a member of corps because she recognized the importance of helping the community. She intends to study biology in college and plans to seek work in the medical field.
Senior Daniel Fulop has been involved with the corps for two years. In the past, he experienced personal accidents that required hospitalization. He was assisted by EMTs and now wants to give back. Fulop has been on several calls and finds the experience to be exciting and rewarding.
An corps member for four months, junior Russell Ohnemus is following in his fathers footsteps. He said he has always been interested in volunteering, but it is a requirement that members be at least 16. Ohnemus just completed his training and has been out on two calls.
Steven Olson, also a junior, is new to the corps. He has participated for four months and is ready for a call. He believes the corps to be a great opportunity to incorporate my interests with volunteering. Olson plans to enter the medical field after college.
Andrew Marderstein, a senior, has been with the corps for a year. He saw the opportunity as a way to could explore interests and look into the medical field. Since becoming involved, he has decided to study biology in college and eventually attend medical school. As a volunteer, one of his main responsibilities is to calm patients.
Each student said they expect to continue to volunteer after graduation.
The students are a great, bright group who make a solid contribution, said Bob Stoddard, corps captain.
The more they do, the more they get out of it, he said.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Lewisboro and receive free news updates.
