Little Brother's Death Moved Mokena Teen To Help Others: Star Student

MOKENA, IL — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Jeanie who nominated Carter of Mokena, Illinois.

Star local student’s name

Carter

What grade is your star local student in?

12th

How do you know the star local student?

Son

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

Carter has been deeply involved in community service: the annual Illinois South Suburban March for Babies Charity Event assisting with the setup and raising funds, which started with the neonatal death of his little brother in 2008, and has led him to want to become a doctor and help others; he has packed meal kits for children around the world through Feed My Starving Children; assisted Chicago Cares Service at the Oakley Square neighborhood with site maintenance and assisted children with activities; assisted Tinley Park’s The Bridge Teen Center thrift store with sorting, cleaning and stocking donations; wrote greeting letters and cards to seniors; and miscellaneous seasonal/holiday duties at several local park district events. Carter is currently a senior at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, IL where he has taken AP and Honors courses throughout his high school and has maintained straight A’s, a GPA of 4.74 and High Honors; he is part of the National Honor Society; and is a member of the Medical Club and TASC (Take a Stand to Cancer) at Providence.

For two years, Carter was a summer camp junior counselor with Ivy League Care in Mokena, IL, as well as a junior umpire with the Frankfort Square Park District. Carter has a very strong work ethic, which started at his first job with Ivy League Care in Mokena, IL, working as a site aide with younger students with after school activities, homework and as a role model. For the past year and a half, he has maintained a part-time physical therapist technician job with Team Rehabilitation in Orland Park, IL, after school during the week preparing patients for physical therapy treatment, educating and assisting patients through exercises and equipment and assisting therapists with patient plans of care. Carter has been CPR-certified for the past two years.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

Carter is very responsible, kindhearted and has a great sense of humor. He has been proactive about earning and saving money since a young age. Around the age 10, he started to mow lawns, shovel snow and even sold milkshakes in the “shake shack” he built along with his childhood friend. He has very good school and work ethics. Being a big brother, Carter is adored and a role model to his two little brothers.

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Carter!

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