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Show AtIis MiiiltepOrt by Senator Orrin Hatch A Utah example of volunteerism John F. Kennedy is well remembered for admonishing us to ask what we could do for our country instead of what it could do for us. Ronald Reagan, 20 years later, asked for more volunteers to step in and provide the services the government cannot provide. And Richard Nicholes, who'll graduate soon from American Fork High, came to my attention recently as the kind of young person who is taking both presidents' advice. An initial look at some of Richard's activities seem to reveal only that he's busy. He played varsity football for his high school, runs on its track team, is a member of its debate team, and is vice president of his senior class. He is an Eagle Scout and holds Scouting's Duty to God award. Much of his spare time is spent as a volunteer at American Fork's training school, where he assists the handicapped children in numerous ways. "He is interested in making them happy and comfortable, and he wants to help them reach their potential and enjoy life," said his father, Douglas E. Nicholes. Richard teaches a class and plays the organ every Sunday in church services at the training school. Richard is a regular cast member at American Fork's annual "Utah Pageant of the Arts," and he was one of a very few high school students who prepared an entry for the recent Utah History Fair. He has been very active as a member of my Youth Advisory Committee, which serves to keep me aware of the opinions and concerns of Utah's youth. As a committee member, he has gone out of his way to share with me his jjerspectives and perceptions, and those of his classmates, on issues I deal with that impact young people. His civic activity does not stop there. He works with the Governor's Steering Committee for the White House Conference on Children and Youth and late last year acted as student chairman of "Honor American Fork Day," in which he and other students met and exchanged ideas with American Fork's mayor and city council. In between all these things, Richard maintains an honor roll grade point average; last quarter his average was 3.93. "Working with guys like Richard is a tremendous experience. He's a fellow of the highest qualtiy : a good student, a good citizen, and a good man, all around," said Arlo Shelley, Richard's principal at American Fork High. "As a school administrator, it'd be tremendous to have a school full of Richard Nicholes. We think the world of this young man." I think the world will be a better place because of him. Richard exemplifies people all across America who volunteer their time and talents to help others; and, as one of the 20,000 young Utahns who will graduate from high school in the next few weeks, he demonstrates just how brightly our future is shining. |