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High School Senior Has Dramatic Achievements

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune Correspondent

Published: September 21, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - Lauren VanHelden landed one of the top scores in Florida on her junior year PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, making her one of 16,000 semifinalists for the coveted scholarship.

That puts her in the top 1 percent of high school seniors in the United States.

Lauren will find out in February whether she's a finalist, allowing her to compete for a $2,500 National Merit scholarship, plus other awards.

But she's got plenty to keep her busy until then.

A senior at Wesley Chapel High School, Lauren, 16, maintains a 3.7 grade point average. She plans to major in psychology at the University of South Florida next year, in preparation for a career as a clinical psychologist.

"I was looking for something I could spend my entire career doing," she said. "I just think it's so interesting that every aspect of social interaction can be incorporated into psychology. It's about looking inside another person's mind, seeing what's there and why. People are always going to need someone to talk to help them figure out what's going on in their lives."

Helping people is what motivates Lauren to volunteer at Weightman Middle School, where she pitches in each day after school day as a teacher's aide in an intensive reading class.

"I enjoy reading to children and helping in their effort to make steps toward good literacy," she said. "Literacy is a big concern in schools today, and I like to help kids with this."

At Wesley Chapel High, Lauren is an active member of the International Thespian Society - actress, costume designer, assistant director and stage manager. She has scored four excellent ratings at district thespian festivals, plus an award for best original screenplay at a student film festival.

"Acting allows me to get into a character's mindset, while costume work lets me explore my crafty side," she said. "Through theater, you can give something back to the community that they can look at and appreciate."

Her hard work has impressed her teachers.

"Lauren is professional and dedicated well beyond her years," said acting teacher Sean Gaudet.

Lauren keeps up with her busy schedule with a thorough system of organization.

"I keep a list on my computer of what I need to do, with what I can't and shouldn't put off at the top of the list," she said. "I also use color to organize. I color-coordinate my folders with bright construction paper and pictures from fashion magazines."

Having supportive parents helps, too.

"We're so proud of her," said Lauren's mom, Lori VanHelden, a teacher at Weightman Middle. "She carries a heavy load ... and she keeps trying."

And if other students want to achieve the same kind of success she has, Lauren has some advice:

"Don't procrastinate," she said. "If you have a passion, like drama, find a school program that will help you develop that passion. It has huge payoffs."

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