This Week's Student Spotlight: Arnell Dandridge

Age: 17

School: Senior at Albertus Magnus High School

Upon meeting Arnell it is quite evident that he is very outgoing, personable, and friendly.

“My charge in life is to treat people as I want to be treated and to motivate them to be the best that they could be as I love helping people and giving advice, when needed," said Arnell Dandridge.

Such a declaration has proven him to be looked upon by his peers as a leader. This year Arnell was elected by his fellow students to be student body president. In addition to being called upon to speak at open houses and new student orientations, he is looked up to as a role model in all aspects of student life.

"As president I have made a couple accomplishments so far. As a senior I have personally experienced the anxiety in anticipating the college interview process. Therefore, I started a college mock interview service at my school so that other seniors, like myself who normally would feel nervous would be better prepared to position he/she as a potential candidate.  Also, a couple students and I are starting a recycle club at our school because we felt we should help become more eco-friendly."

He has been selected as one of four senior Ambassadors of the senior class. He was chosen to be a student mediator for the Peer Mediation Program whose goal is to solve problems among students without it having to go to teachers or the vice principal for interference.

Academically Arnell has taken accelerated Spanish classes, allowing him to finish that course work one year early.  He also was asked to publish a poem in a book called, "On My Mind" which is a collection of poetry by students in the Hudson Valley.

Another great experience Arnell has had was being selected as a class representative to join the Junior National Youth Leadership Program.

"The Junior National Youth Leadership Program provided me with an opportunity to further develop leadership skills by attending conferences, seminars and meeting students from all of the country. In 2009, through this program, I was invited to attend the Presidential Inauguration, in Washington, D.C. Here, I had the opportunity to listen to powerful speeches from former Vice President Al Gore and former Secretary, Colin Powell."

A tremendous experience for any high school student to have. Arnell does have an interest in pursuing a law degree at some point in his future, but for now he is focusing on finishing his senior year and enjoying his last year of high school sports.

"Sports is my love and passion. I have been involved in variety of sports since I was four years old."

Arnell's athleticism has allowed him to try his hand (and foot) at a variety of different sports. He has been a part of the football, soccer, basketball and golf teams.

As a sophomore during the fall season he was a kicker on the Albertus Magnus football team. In his junior year Arnell made the Varsity Soccer team and not only was he a starter but he was the second leading scorer. He decided to stick with soccer his senior year as well.

"During my senior year we beat Burke Catholic who advanced to the state semi-finals last year 1-0. This was a big win for us because it was the last homecoming game for us seniors that we will ever be apart of."

On Sunday mornings he has been volunteering his time to assist with the squirt soccer program which is an introdcution to soccer for preschool age children.

As the fall season gives way, next on the agenda for Arnell's is his favored sport, basketball.

He grew up playing CYO basketball for St. Gregory's and during the winter season he gives back to the program by coaching the six-year-old team.

During his sophomore year he tried out and made the Varsity basketball team at Albertus.

"This was a great accomplishment for me because I worked hard to achieve this goal. Anyone who knows me, is aware that I play basketball all year round. In the spring, I played with the Rockland Rockets which is a travel basketball team. I received honorable mention in a prestigious tournament called the Gym Rat Challenge."

Last year, the Albertus Boy's basketball team beat Dobbs Ferry High School for the Section Title for Class B. But they lost to Burke Catholic in the first round of the playoffs for the state championship. This year Arnell is looking forward to two games in particular this basketball season.

"For me North Rockland will always be a rivalry game that I am always looking forward too because I came from that school. We lost to them my sophomore year, then we beat them my junior year, I had my best game where I scored 20 points.  Also, I am looking forward to playing Burke Catholic, who beat us in the first round of states. Lastly, an athletic goal of mine is to win a state championship."

Definitely an attainable accomplishment for this young athlete and his teammates.

In addition to volunteering to help coach youth sports, Arnell also participated in numerous community service projects such as “Midnight Run” and collecting donations for the needy.

"Last April, I participated in a project called 'Warming the Hearts of the Homeless,' in which my church’s youth group, sewed and designed custom hand-made fleece blankets and scarves with embroidered messages and or patterns, such as “God Love You” and “Don’t Give Up!”, of which we personally delivered to the homeless community of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Haverstraw. In addition, I participated in various food drives and during the Christmas holidays, our group made homemade cakes and cookies to distribute to people, who lost love ones, during the year, to uplift his/her spirit during the holiday season."

Although he is as tough as nails on the field and the court, Arnell has a compassionate side to him as well. A commitment to helping out those in the community who are less fortunate or who have experienced loss is an exemplary trait for a teenager.

We look forward to an exciting basketball season and wish you all the best as you decide where you will go to college next fall.