Asset Builder Spotlight

June - 2007
Natasha, co-chair of Children First, and senior at St Louis Park High School is an exceptional example of how the 40 developmental assets can shape young person’s life. “I started with Children First when a friend of mine was going to a Children First meeting after school. The free food is really what got me in the door,” Natasha explained. “However, after I attended my first meeting I knew that the philosophy of Children First was something with which I wanted to be involved. I became the co-chair of Children First the beginning of my senior year.”

“It’s important that everyone stands up for what they believe in. When you do that you give yourself self-respect,” said Natasha while speaking of her passion for saving the environment and our fragile ecosystem. “I once heard from a biology movie a great quote that stuck with me: ‘The environment is important because it supports life. It is like a house of cards, if you take away one single card –the whole house will collapse.’ That statement really shows how important it is to respect our environment.”

Natasha’s family has lived in St Louis Park most of her life. “The teachers in the St Louis Park school system expect students to have integrity and respect. The high school has many different opportunities to join others with similar beliefs as you, like Save our Surroundings, (SOS) which follow through with different volunteer opportunities. At the end of my sophomore year SOS cleaned up around Wolfe Park and the pond at Oak Hill. They also discuss bigger picture issues like outsourced industries that exploit other countries.”

Natasha said the city is also a welcoming place for youth involvement where the asset #32, Planning & Decision Making can be developed. “St Louis Park has numerous organizations that involve adults and youth in decision making. You don’t want to make bad decisions, and these groups help you to recognize good decisions. ”

Natasha has had a love for animals since she was a small girl. “My parents nurtured my love of animals. My mom has told me that when I was little I talked to butterflies, so I must have always had a compassion for nature. I will be studying Biology in college.”

“My circle of friends is large. I really don’t have one specific clique, Natasha explained as she described the impact of the asset, Positive Peer Influence. “I like to hang out with all groups of people. I am friendly with mostly everyone although I do have two or three close friends. Friends are an important part of a young person’s life. It is important to have friends that believe and have the same core values as you. That way they won’t compromise your values or integrity.” Natasha pointed out a quote from the school handbook by Alice Walker: “No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow.”

Natasha has recognized the 40 developmental assets in her life. Through Natasha’s actions throughout her young life, it is apparent that one asset has floated to the top of Natasha’s asset pool, #28 Integrity, which is described as: young person acts on convictions and stands up for her or his beliefs. “When a young person is consciously aware of the 40 developmental assets in their life it helps them in their growth and empowerment,” Natasha said. “The more assets they receive the more they flourish.”

Written by Julie Meintsma.