April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
K-a-m-i-k-a spells 'involvement'
Kamika McDonald is one busy teen.
The senior at Schenectady's Notre Dame/Bishop Gibbons School was recently involved in the school's fall musical "Oliver," is co-editor of the yearbook, is on the school newspaper and the Mock Trial team, swings a mean racket on the tennis team, and takes part in the peer ministry program.
As if that weren't enough, Kamika has taken on several community activities. She started a literacy program called "Kamika's Ravenous Readers," was involved in the Schenectady voter registration drive titled "Girls Get Out the Vote" and Girls Inc.'s Youth Expression Theater, and sang in the "Psalm 100" City Mission's choir. She has also served on the NAACP Youth Council, and the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Council of Schenectady Health and Family Services.
All of those activities earned Kamika, 17, recognition from the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission as the first youth to be cited for outstanding leadership and contributions to the cause of human rights, dignity, justice and equality.
Rewarded
Kamika gets involved, she says, because "there are so many fun things around [volunteering]. There are so many rewards; it feels good. It opens me up to different cultures and things. When I wasn't involved, I was watching a lot of TV. I like to help people. That's a big motivator."
Her role model also inspired her to get involved. "My mother is my idea of a strong person," the teen said. "She does foster care, and I think it's beautiful. She's a single parent, and it takes a lot to raise children alone."
While taking on so many activities might bog down some people, Kamika is on top of them. "When I come in the house, I get the mail and do my homework," she explained. "Homework is the most important thing."
Faith at core
What helps keep her going is her faith. "I wouldn't be able to balance everything without it," she said. "It centers me and focuses me. It's very important to me."
Also important is her school. "Bishop Gibbons is a school where people care," she stated. "People are concerned about a variety of things. That's why I like it here."
Since faith is important to her, Kamika is pleased that others at her school feel the same way. "A lot of teenagers are strong for Christ," she said. "When we discuss things, it's -- wow!"
She doesn't think she's unusual. "All teenagers care. They're focused on more things and care about the world," she told The Evangelist. "They want to make the world a better place. They just need guidance and advice."
On the street
Of all of her activities, the choir, "Psalm 100," is her favorite. "We sang in the oddest places," she said. "We sang on the street."
She was also on the street while participating in "Girls Get Out the Vote." "We stood on State Street and asked people if they were registered to vote," she said.
While doing that, she was featured on Nickelodeon television, a national cable channel devoted to young people. But that's probably not the last time people will see her on the tube. "I want to be a lawyer and do some broadcasting," she said.
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