RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
A passion for helping others while excelling in school and several extra-curriculars are why Natalie Ruiz-Castillo was selected as the Randolph Youth Center's Youth of the Year for the 2008-2009 school year.
Jeri Peterson, youth director, who supervised Natalie as the teenager spent 132 hours volunteering at the RYC, said Natalie is a quiet leader who leads by example.
"Natalie is an all-around great teen involved in school, community and the Youth Programs. She has helped out with some of our major events such as Fam-a-ganza, Hi-Jinks, Day for Kids, and is in several clubs. I've never had any problems out of her," Ms. Peterson said.
Natalie, who's also volunteered in the RYC's summer and Thanksgiving Camps and the "Before and After School" program with children 12 years of age and under, was selected three times for Teen of the Month and once for Volunteer of the Month. Additionally, she has spent many after-school hours with the Keystone Club, Dance Team, USA Gymnastics and volunteering for cooking projects.
The bi-lingual freshman at Randolph High School, who is already in advanced Spanish classes, is also an honors math student who belongs to the National Junior Honor Society.
"I take school seriously," the yearbook staff photographer said, "because it all counts for college."
Natalie, who takes after-school classes in acting and modeling at The Barbizon School, also babysits to earn extra money. Her job performance earns compliments from one of her employers, Aixa Vila, who called Natalie "unselfish and diligent."
"Natalie is my daughter Monica's favorite babysitter," said Ms. Vila. "I live 45 minutes away from her and I drive only to be leaving my daughter with her. In addition, she takes care of my two dogs when I go on vacation twice a year -- and provides them excellent care."
With all of those activities, Natalie's days are extremely busy.
"My day starts getting to school before 7 a.m. and working there until 3:45," she said, "then coming to the youth center after school until 6 p.m. or even 8 p.m., attending a club meeting and then going home to start the routine all over again the next day."
Part of that routine includes spear heading a lot of 4-H Club projects, like cooking dinners and making baked goods for the Fisher House and the Wounded Warriors Lounge, baking cookies for church on base, working a booth at the Rodeo, collecting teddy bears for Operation Military Kids, making placemats and cards for Thanksgiving, and working at the BX doing gift- wrapping for donations during Christmas.
"It is a plateful," said the two-year 4-H club president.
But Natalie, whose Army Captain father is serving in Iraq and whose mother works in Randolph AFB's Services Division, somehow does it all -- and more.
"She will succeed at whatever she does," said Ms. Peterson simply.