This issue's spotlight teen attends Jack Hayward High School. She is sixteen years old, eleventh grader, Vinzanna Patrick.
Vinzanna enjoys playing basketball, reading, listening to music and talking on the phone. This industrious teen currently has a 3.64 grade point average (way to go girl!) and her goal for the future is to become a Certified Public Accountant.

B.M What's the secret to your success in school?
V.P. I always pay attention in class, do my assignments and study for exams.

B.M Are you involved in any extra curricular activities?
V.P I'm the Treasurer of the Interact Club and I'm Assistant Director of the Honor Guards, a club my brother founded. Outside of school I'm involved with Twenty Pearls, & Pathfinders.

B.M What do you think the qualities of a good role model are?
V.P: A role model should be well rounded, respectable, and have high moral standards.

B.M: Who are your role models?
V.P. My role models are my parents and my pastor. They set good examples for me to follow.

B.M How do your parents fit into you becoming the person you are today?
V.P. They provide a lot of discipline and they care about me.

B.M. Have you ever given into peer pressure?
V.P. Yes unfortunately I have. My friend's boyfriend had a party and she wanted me to go. I asked my mom and she said no. I told my friend but she kept calling me and asking me to go so I told my mom I was going to another party and I went to my friend's boyfriend party. Well, I got caught.

B.M. Oops! What happened?
V.P. I just came off punishment for that. I was supposed to be grounded from July to December. I couldn't use the phone or go out. But my mom made an agreement that if I got six awards she'd shorten it and our awards day just passed (Tuesday Oct 23)

B.M. How many awards did you get?
V.P. I got nine. Six subject awards, the honor roll award, trophy for getting above 3.5 and most helpful award.

B.M. Wow! You did great! However, I'm sure you've learned your lesson and you won't be going off to any more parties without permission.

V.P. Yes I have! That punishment was long…

B.M. What advice do you now have for other young ladies about resisting peer pressure?
V.P. Think about what you're doing before you do it. Basically resisting involves thinking about what you do before you do it.

Note
If you think that you, or someone you know, would make a good Spotlight Teen do drop me a line and tell me about yourself. P.O. Box F-43929, Freeport Bahamas or email [email protected]