Making crafts to playing football with the youths in Brainerd's Fun 'N' Friends after-school program are experiences that 16-year-old Alannah Dosh will not forget.
For the past two years, Dosh, who just finished her sophomore year at Brainerd High School, has volunteered at Brainerd Community Education's after-school program. Dosh has helped organize games and activities among other responsibilities.
"The best part of volunteering is making the kids feel better about themselves and seeing them smile when they leave," said Dosh. "They always share with me what they've done that day.
"I also enjoy helping out the staff so they don't have so much work to do."
Brainerd High School sophomore Alannah Dosh assisted Gavin Roberts in shooting a free throw Thursday during Brainerd's Fun 'N' Friends at Baxter Elementary School. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood » Purchase reprints of this photo.
Dosh attended Fun 'N' Friends as a youth in fourth grade. In the beginning, Dosh didn't like it because she didn't have enough to do and not many of her friends were in it. But she later changed her mind and she enjoyed being involved in the program.
Dosh said Fun 'N' Friends helped her come out of her shell.
"I'm more outgoing, I can communicate better and I adjust to change better," said Dosh. "I've experienced so many different things in this program."
Dosh, the daughter of Jerry Jr. and Linda Dosh of Brainerd, started to volunteer because her mother is a site supervisor for the program and she came with her mother to the school sites to help from time to time.
Dosh wants study child psychology after high school graduation and said spending time with youths is a good experience for her.
Alannah Dosh
Age: 16.
Fun summer plans: "Going to Alabama for a week to visit my aunt and uncle and also attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp for a week."
Favorite junk food: Skittles.
Something you've always wanted to do: "Skydiving. My aunt and uncle tried it and she said she'd never do it and she did. I want to do that and be spontaneous."
Favorite book: "P.S. I Love You."
Last movie you watched: "Juno."
Favorite high school memory: "Going to the Metrodome to see the football team in the semifinals."
Favorite artist: George O'Keeffe.
Nickname: "Boo. I played peek-a-boo a lot as a baby and it just stuck."
If you have a suggestion for an Everyday People feature, contact Kathi Nagorski at kathi.nagorski@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5859.
Last summer Dosh volunteered 360 hours and this year hopes to volunteer between four to six hours a week. She is unable to volunteer as much this summer because she'll be taking care of a family with a set of twins and triplets three days a week.
"I also baby-sit for other families and I work Saturday night at North Central Raceway at the concession stands," said Dosh.
Dosh also sits on the Brainerd Community Education Advisory Board where she and two other students suggest ideas to board members of what students their age are interested in. Dosh also is involved in the BHS Interact Club, which is a branch of the Rotary Club; the youth group at her church, Bethel Lutheran Church in Brainerd; and she volunteers at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.
"I've helped at Bethany since I was really little," said Dosh. "I'd go there to visit the nursing home residents. Now I do bingo there on the first Wednesday night of the month."
Dosh also helps with a reading program at Harrison Elementary School called Books and Beyond that her parents also are involved in.
"I really enjoy volunteering," said Dosh. "It makes me happy and it's fun to see others happy."
When Dosh is not volunteering or working, she enjoys scrapbooking, deer hunting, shopping, reading and hanging out with her friends.
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.
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