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CONNECTIONS ACTION TEAM - LAUREN BARR – CO-CHAIR EXTRAORDINAIRE

Thursday, June 1, 2006

(Howard County Connections)Confronted by her teachers to run for president of her school’s student government association, Mt. Hebron junior Lauren Barr faced a difficult decision. She’s not only involved with numerous organizations - she chairs or is president or vice president of most of them – but with senior year approaching, this is the time of college applications and visits. She’s looking to major in international studies or foreign policy.

Listing the pros and cons, Lauren agonized. “Ideally, I would love to be SGA president.” It’s the kind of opportunity that only comes around once, she tells herself. It would mean rearranging class schedules and letting some current responsibilities go.

And like most things, the issue came up during a week when Lauren, already buried under mountains of papers and books, was studying to take two AP exams on the same day as well as the SAT exam that weekend.

“No pressure, right,” she laughs.

But firm in her resolve, Lauren opts not to run. “Life is about prioritizing sometimes. I’m so involved with so many other things.”

Involved is a word and a half where Lauren is concerned. Sitting around a conference table, she is just as comfortable talking, asking questions, and making suggestions to Howard County’s top leaders as she is to her baby brother.

“I really like listening to what people have to say and well, sometimes I’m amazed when they seem to be listening to me as well,” she says.

Lauren is in her second year co-chairing the Connections Action Team, part of the Horizon Foundation’s major initiative, which is Howard County Connections. Its goal is to promote the development and empowerment of youth in the community through developmental assets.

There are 40 assets which research indicates are the keys to providing youth with positive qualities and experiences that will help them become more resilient. The more assets a young person has, such as support from family and community members as well as constructive use of time, the more they will succeed in life.

Connections director Peggy Alexander believes this may a first for the county, having such a large and significant group, representing all facets of life in the county, led by a student.

Lauren is on the Connections Youth Training Team and its Speakers’ Bureau.

She’s a member of an Advisory Board to the Horizon Foundation that reads like a who’s who of Howard County’s top leaders, from County Executive James Robey and School Superintendent Sydney Cousin to Howard County General Hospital president Vic Broccolino and Howard County Chamber president Pamela Klahr, among many others.

And if that wasn’t enough, Lauren is also part of the National Honor Society, school plays, the Madrigals, the debate club, and a youth group at her synagogue.

“Everything that I’m doing is completely worthwhile. I don’t believe in doing things for the resume.”

Admittedly a bit of a perfectionist, Lauren says while she gives 110 percent, she also recognizes that “some things are beyond my control.” Its good, she says to keep things in perspective.

Petite, with long, curly brown hair, a hint of freckles, and a ready, warm smile, Lauren’s best feature may be her eyes, which are dark, intelligent and sincere. She looks directly at those she’s talking with and is so articulate, adults are instantly impressed with her natural leadership abilities. They are also quick to note her down to earth good sense.

Working with Connections and the foundation since her freshman year, she recognizes all the incredible opportunities she’s been presented with and all the learning and growing she’s done. The 40 developmental assets, she notes, provide guidance and direction for how one should go about their life. “(They) have given me such self-confidence.”