Lakota Optimists Name Teens of the Month Puja Aggarwal of Lakota West and Courtney Schipper of Lakota East were selected by the Lakota Optimist Club as Junior Teenagers of the Month for February.  Puja, daughter of Satish and Usha Aggarwal, is extremely involved in a number of Lakota West's student interaction programs that have a tremendous impact on the quality of student life within the high school. To underscore her interest in her fellow students, she is very involved in the high school Peer Mediation program as well as the elementary school Peer Counseling program. Puja is an active member of Junior Statesman of America, where she recently attended a conference in Washington D.C. to personally observe our federal government in action.  She is a member of Mu Alpha Theta math honorary club, the Spanish Club and the extremely rewarding Multi Cultural Club. Her service activities include volunteering at Mercy Hospital, tutoring young children in math and reading, working at the Ronald McDonald House and leading a Hindu study group.  Puja is also a member of the community service "Interact" organization sponsored by the Rotary Club.   Her hobbies include pottery, running, reading and the piano.  Given her incredible schedule of activities and volunteer efforts, Puja maintains an A+ average in the advance placement program at Lakota West.  She represents a complete package of academic excellence, community involvement and a genuine interest in her fellow students.  It is no surprise that Puja's future aspirations would include the field of medicine, where she undoubtedly will utilize all those gifts. The Lakota Optimists wish Ms. Aggarwal the very best for continued success. Courtney Schipper, daughter of Robert and Jenny Schipper, is another outstanding student with a wide range of diverse activities, which constantly challenge her talents.  In the past, Courtney has written several feature articles for the Spark" student magazine and now is focusing her time, talent and energies in the "Under Pressure" student theatrical program.  The "Under Pressure" program, through a series of one-act dramas centered on critical student issues, helps the actors therapeutically connect with their student audiences.  These one-act dramas are student written, directed and performed without props or costumes.  Those who have had the opportunity to observe the performances, readily acknowledge the powerful message being conveyed.  In addition to being a talented "Under Pressure" actor, Courtney also doubles as one of the student directors. Her community volunteer efforts include the Haunted Trail at Keehner Park and working for the Lakota East music department at O.M.E.A. contests.   Her hobbies include the theater, acting, movies, soccer, rollerblading and simply enjoying her friends. Despite a wide variety of time consuming activities, Courtney is quite accomplished in the classroom, maintaining an "A" average. She is definitely a "high energy" young lady with equally high motivations. Her future goals find her leaning toward a career in teaching, quite possibly in the field of English.  There is no question she will make an outstanding leader of young people.  The Lakota Optimists are proud to recognize the efforts and excellence of Puja Aggarwal and Courtney Schipper by selecting them as "Teens of the Month" for February.

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