Whiz Kids: Four Teens Working to Make a Difference

This week's Whiz Kids seem to find time to do it all.

sophomores and best friends Madison Brinnon, Jamie Carolo, Teresa Duddy and Lexi Orozco  have more than just school work to keep up with.

Brinnon sings in a local rock band, participates in theater and interns at Ford Models in San Francisco.

Carolo plays on a club soccer team, while Duddy is on the Fashion Board at Nordstrom and is a member of Amador Valley's UNICEF and poetry clubs.

Orozco is also part of the UNICEF club, is on the swim team and works an after-school job. An active member in her leadership class, she once gathered classmates together to make get-well cards for patients at Children's Hospital Oakland.

Duddy and Orozco also work for the school's Link Crew program, in which upperclassmen mentor incoming ninth graders.

In addition, they are all involved with the Tri-Valley YMCA Youth and Government program.

But that's not all these students do with their free time -- the teens have come together to form a community service group they call "Four with a Purpose," dedicated to doing what they can to help people in need.

The girls say they are appreciative for what they have in life and were raised by their parents to think of others.

"I'm so lucky to have my health and the opportunities I've been given," Orozco said. "I can't imagine not wanting to help others."

"It just comes naturally," added Brinnon.

Currently their efforts are focused on providing assistance to children receiving treatment at Children's Hospital.

They are wrapping up a book drive held in conjunction with , which began earlier this month when the group volunteered with schoolchildren there as part of Read Across America.

Now, they have collected hundreds of books to put into play centers and patient rooms at the hospital.

The young patients have art supplies took look forward to as well. For the last month the teens have been collecting craft baskets filled with stickers, markers, crayons, glue sticks, paper, stamps and stamp pads.

"There isn't a lot for kids to do in a hospital," Brinnon said. "I feel like it's important [...] to give them a little something (to brighten their stay)."

Brinnon would know. She was admitted to the intensive care unit at Children's Hospital at the age of 11, and came to appreciate the nurses who cared for her.

She said her time there inspired her to give back, so she began volunteering at the hospital's Family House, which provides housing for families of children receiving treatment, once she reached the minimum age of 16.

After a few months of making home-cooked meals and facilitating a supply drive for the families, "my friends expressed an interest as well," Brinnon said.

Then in their freshman year at Amador Valley High and fast becoming close friends, "Four with a Purpose" was born.

Last year the group held two supply drives for Family House and brought meals once a month. They also made more than 40 blankets for children at a Contra Costa County battered women's shelter during the 2009 holiday season and this past winter, the girls made fleece scarves.

Once they deliver the books and craft supplies in early April, the teens will turn their focus to their next pursuit -- raising $200 each to participate in a 5K Walk for Kids on April 30 to benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles.  

Those who want to donate craft supplies or books should contact the group within the next few days at fourwithapurpose@gmail.com. You can also e-mail them if you wish to sponsor the Walk for Kids or just want to be kept abreast of the group's future efforts.