A-SMYLE Student of the Month – May 2014

Aleksandra Velickovic, a FLEX World Link student from Serbia, thrived throughout the exchange year. In her host school, she was a member of the Interact Club, Debate Team, and Drama Club. She excelled in academics, maintaining all A’s and a 4.33 GPA, and was named a Platinum Star for her academic achievements. Through her Speech and Debate participation, Aleksandra competed in the State Qualifying Congress Tournament and earned enough points to be inducted into the National Forensics League. 

 

Aleksandra served more than 100 volunteer hours in her host community. She is interested in pursuing psychology in the future and gave many hours working one-on-one with a patient who had dementia. Aleksandra was thrilled by the progress the patient made due to her assistance, progressing from humming to carrying on lengthy conversations. Aleksandra also participated in “Walk for Life,” earning money for cancer research, a “Read Across America” children’s reading event, and collecting food baskets through her school. She volunteered throughout the year at a local homeless shelter and food kitchen, and she tutored elementary children and classmates through the school’s peer tutoring program. 

 

Aleksandra started two of her own volunteer projects this year. In the winter months, she and her host sister created the “Let’s Keep Them Warm” project, collecting hats, gloves and clothes that were given to a homeless shelter. She led a Global Youth Service Day project, where Interact club members, her host family and friends, 30 people in all, helped in collecting 1300 items of clothing, shoes, toys, toiletries and blankets, to donate to a rescue mission. Aleksandra is proud of the changes she experienced in her life this year, and the impact she made on the lives of others.

 

Congratulations Aleksandra!