Faina Vinokur
Myself Third Spirit of New York 2002 Scholarship Winner
Edward R. Murrow High School
Baruch College
"Faina is a highly motivated individual who thirsts for knowledge. She is a focused individual and her work reflects an independent and critical thinker. In class, Faina actively contributes by providing a personal insight… and she does not hesitate to express her own beliefs. Faina has demonstrated a tremendous amount of self-discipline as she manages both her school work and many after school activities.… Despite her busy schedule, Faina is an individual with much energy and on numerous occasions she can be found helping teachers and students alike."
—Karen Wagner, Social Studies Teacher
Work, Volunteer, and Extra-Curricular Activities
- Jewish Heritage Club
- Junior Math Team
- Teachers of Tomorrow
- SADD Club
Excerpts from Faina's Essay
Civic responsibility is accepting the fact that you have an obligation to aid your society. Civic responsibility includes the attitude, knowledge, behavior, and skills necessary to maintain a good, well-organized society. Responsible citizens acquire and use the knowledge and skills necessary to play an active role in public life. Participation as a citizen is broadly defined to include such activities as leadership in governmental roles, community organizations and service to others. Values underlying the multiple expressions of civic responsibility include the individual's belief in his/her responsibility to give back to the community, to work with others to solve social problems, and to cooperate in the creation and maintenance of community resources. Those displaying civic responsibility are knowledgeable about issues in society and actively participate in the political life available to all citizens. A central value in civic responsibility is that citizens should be working to make a contribution to the greater good.
I, for one, love to help out my community. I have participated in a program called "Teachers of Tomorrow" for about two years now. This program allows me to help out 3rd grade teachers in my local elementary school. My responsibilities involve teaching students to read and do math problems. As well, I provide them with emotional support.… Helping the children brought some satisfaction as well as appreciation in my life. I felt as though I actually made a difference as a person in somebody's life. This experience changed me. It made me see how each person is beautiful in his/her own unique way and that children are so very precious.…
Of course, there are wonderful programs out there that help the needy in the community. For example, "Arlington County Civic Federation" gives awards to those who dedicated their time and effort to help the relatives of the victims of September 11, 2001. "Habitat For Humanity" helps build houses for those who lack financial resources. "Americorps" encourages people to volunteer. These associations that do good for the community and to the society as a whole are an inspiration to us all.
Civic involvement has had a huge impact on my future plans.… I have decided to become a full-time teacher.… I will provide opportunities for students to participate in voluntary activities that strengthen the common good within the school and larger community.
