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Kids On The Move - Jacqueline Sodano
08/24/2009 - By Tobi D. Tesoriero
RAISING AWARENESS FOR ORGAN DONATION
Jacqueline Sodano is one of those people who get things done; rather than just sitting around daydreaming she organizes, arranges, and puts her ideas into action. At 16 years old she has already formed two clubs at her high school, reaching out to meet the needs or interests of others.
Jacqueline is entering her junior year, studying at Colts Neck High School’s Law and Public Service program, one of Freehold Regional High School District’s Specialized Learning Centers. Students in this program have a rigorous schedule, taking Advanced Placement (AP) college courses and honors classes, along with the standard required high school course work. Along with her rigorous academic schedule, Jacqueline’s extracurricular activities are near and dear to her heart, especially The Donate Life Student Chapter. She became aware of Organ Donation through her friend, Sara Greenberg, whose dad had donated a kidney to Sara’s grandmother. Jacqueline saw a video about a boy in New Jersey who had been in a car accident. His license indicated that he had volunteered for organ donation, and despite the tragedy of his death he was able to save many other lives. Inspired by this, she set out to raise awareness. She and three friends – Sara Greenberg, Alison Corsi, and Danielle Bertiger – joined forces and successfully established the first Student Chapter of the Donate Life Organization at Colts Neck High.
According to Jacqueline, “The purpose…is to support the mission of Donate Life NJ, which is dedicated to saving lives, giving hope, and restoring physical function through promoting organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Approximately 100,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for organs and tissue, and approximately 6,000 people die each year while waiting for these organs…[and] approximately 4,400 people are on the waiting list in New Jersey. On average, 17 people die each day that could have been saved. Each donor could provide organs/tissue for 75 or more people in need.” The club encourages fellow students to indicate on their licenses the choice to donate. They also work blood drives at schools and arranged for a speaker (a living donor) to come and talk to all the sophomores to educate them about organ donation. Additionally, the club mans a table each month at the Motor Vehicle Bureau, encouraging people to volunteer to be organ donors. Their next goal is to start up student chapters at other nearby schools.
In addition to the Student Chapter of the Donate Life Organization, Jacqueline founded Colts Neck High School’s Italian Club. After taking a trip to Italy she became excited about the culture and history, and decided to share her interest and enthusiasm. In its first year, the club already boasts 50 members. They try to hold meetings twice a month; they’ve hosted a pizza party; and have participated in International Day. Jacqueline’s next goal for the club is to communicate with students from Italy via e-mail to help increase Colts Neck students’ Italian writing skills. She’s started reaching out to schools in Italy, hoping that by sometime this fall they will have that program in place. Jacqueline graciously shared that the club members are great and “are truly the heart of the club.”
Jacqueline’s involvement and interests also encompass the arts through dance and music; she’s been dancing for 10 years, is on the dance team at school, and plays piano. She has volunteered with Special People United to Ride (SPUR), which helps teach disabled kids to ride horses. She has also participated in fundraising walks for Juvenile Diabetes and Breast Cancer.
Although she is driven and involved in these causes and activities, Jacqueline keeps balance in her life by having fun, relaxing, and hanging out with friends. She’s not sure what she wants to pursue in the future, but she is passionate about politics and enjoys learning about the economy. She toys with the idea of writing about politics, but would also love a career in business. As a matter of fact, she’s been thinking of starting a stock market club next year. As previously stated, there are those who get things done…and Jacqueline Sodano is certainly one of them!
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Switch, Las Vegas
FAVORITE MUSIC
anything I can dance to
FAVORITE MOVIE
Titanic
PET PEEVE
people who are apathetic toward politics
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
Walt Disney, Matthew McConaughey, and Milton Friedman
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