Zoja has an incredible drive and self-motivation as shown in over 100 community service hours to date, many cultural presentations, and active involvement at school. Recently, Zoja made the holidays brighter for teens in low-income families with “The Christmas Project” by securing a list of Christmas wishes for 17 teens placed in foster care through a local organization. She made sure all the presents wished for were donated by running a donation campaign across town, complete with handmade cards. Zoja feels she has made great connections in the community for future projects.
Zoja has also volunteered at the Kings Art Center, cleaning, sorting supplies, organizing paintings, and preparing for events. Other volunteering has included sorting food and toy donations at The Salvation Army, handing out free smoke detectors for the Fire Department, running the concession stand for a non-profit theater, and welcoming guests to the Salute to Agriculture event. Zoja found the perfect volunteer opportunity during her first month in the U.S. for a Serbian Orthodox Church Festival by preparing and serving 200 sarma (cabbage rolls). She said it felt rewarding seeing others enjoy her heritage, and it fueled her motivation to continue sharing her culture.
Before International Education Week (IEW), Zoja shared Serbian culture through multiple presentations at school and baking traditional desserts throughout October, which she shared with essential workers. For IEW, Zoja discussed unique topics such as Serbian historical traditions and customs, and social divisions between the youth and elderly. Zoja was the starting setter on her school’s highly competitive varsity volleyball team, was selected as MVP in her English class, and started a debate club after learning the school didn’t offer one. Zoja attends World Language club, Culture club, and the Culture Cooking club. She is an advisor for Asian club and is organizing a prom for disabled students with S Club. Zoya has excellent grades, and her teachers are thrilled to have her in their classes. Her teachers report she’s a responsible, proactive, and respectful student who is highly participatory, insightful, and eager.
Her host family commented, “She is a very smart, lovable, kind person who shows love, respect, and affection towards our family. We are all very happy to be able to host Zoja and have the chance to call her one of our family members. We will forever have her in our hearts.”
