Published: February 13, 2008 08:42 am      

A little respect goes a long way

Clarksville student applauded for strong ethics, helping others

“Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.”

— Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.





Clarksville Community Schools Superintendent Stephen Fisher stopped Kari Rigrish as she walked in for our interview and teasingly asked, “Are you in trouble again, Kari?” He followed her into the room and introduced himself. When he was told Kari was our Southern Indiana Extra Miler he smiled and quickly responded, “Kari is a young person who respects herself.” he added. “It is a big thing to me that people respect themselves and also respect others — Kari does both.”

Our Extra Miler this month is Kari Rigrish, a senior at Clarksville High School. Kari is many things to many people — but most of all, she is a caring person to everyone. Kari volunteers with many school activities, including National Honor Society, school yearbook, cheerleading, school concessions, and as a teacher’s assistant. She often takes a leadership role in her activities, such as being the editor of the yearbook and the captain of the cheerleaders.

Kari’s teacher, Christina Faulkner, nominated her as an Extra Miler stating, “Kari is a caring leader who is respectful and helpful to everyone.” Faulkner added, “She has a rare combination of many positive traits, including being very empathetic toward others.”

Faulkner told of how Kari works with the freshman cheerleaders to give them confidence and ensure they are comfortable with their new high school environment. She noted that Kari is an upbeat and happy person. “She is compassionate and motivated, but at the same time she is fun and likes to laugh.” Faulkner added, “People just enjoy being around Kari.”

Her cousin, close friend, mentor, and part-time supervisor Candi Stockdale, raves about how special Kari is to all who know her. “Kari has always been a good person, partly because she has such a good family.” When asked about Kari’s family, Candi replied, “Her family is rare ... they have a strong bond and truly enjoy being with one another.”

Noting Kari’s maturity and leadership capabilities, Candi adds that Kari has a fun side. “Kari loves to laugh and she has an ongoing competition with my brother to see who can get a photograph of the most people in a single photograph, with them included and taking the photograph.”

Kari works for the YMCA part time, Children’s Place part time, as a summer camp counselor, and volunteers each week for her church (Ohio Falls United Methodist) as the Assistant Teacher for Youth Church. She talks lovingly about the young children, “It is such fun to work with the young kids and to teach them about the bible one week and then hear the lesson repeated back to you the next week — they are amazing.”

Kari’s peers refer to her as being energetic, compassionate, independent, outgoing, caring and motivated. Not bad references for a teenager. She wants to major in secondary education at either Indiana University Southeast or IU Bloomington, making a career out of working with children.

Kari remembers the first time she became involved in volunteer work. She was in 6th grade and a group of youth planned to go to Haven House to volunteer for the evening. She was a little scared, as she listened to some of the talk about the homeless shelter. She didn’t know what to expect; however, after she arrived and met the people who lived there, Kari was hooked on the volunteer feeling. She recalls, “We started out coloring with the children and then later helped with the meal and the people were very gracious ... they let us know how special we made their day.”

When asked why she performs acts of kindness and generosity, Kari responded, “Kindness is something that should come natural. It is something I do for myself because I get more from it than I give. Kindness becomes reciprocal ... does that make sense?”

Kari Rigrish, it certainly does make sense. You are a role model and leader for the youth in our community and we thank you for being a Southern Indiana Extra Miler.

Kindness Tip of the Month: Kari’s Tip: There are small things you can do every day to brighten another person’s day. When you pass a stranger, just smile and say hello. Offer a friendly face and when you can, ask how they are doing. No matter how small this may seem, we never know the impact it can make. If you are kind to one person, and that person passes it on, it can continue to grow.

Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and owner of EEO GUIDANCE, Inc. If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an Extra Miler, let her know about it. To submit a story or act of kindness, contact Carol via e-mail: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune.com or mail: THE EXTRA MILERS, The Evening News, 221 Spring St., Jeffersonville, IN 47130-3340.