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Community Corner

Youth Connection: Featuring Gigi Jirapolchet - Bellevue Volunteer of the Year

An interview with Gigi Jirapolchet, who was named the City of Bellevue's Volunteer of the Year.

Gigi Jirapolchet, a junior at Bellevue High School, was nominated as the Bellevue City Volunteer of the Year by Youth Link for her leadership in planning the 2010 Kids Care Coat Drive, which collected and distributed over 3,000 coats to needy families. Jirapolchet is also involved in Bellevue Youth Court, Bellevue Youth Council, and the Community Leadership Awards Planning Committee. Jirapolchet was officially recognized at Bellevue City Hall on April 18th as part of National Volunteer Week.

Jirapolchet has shared with Youth Connection her passion for volunteering as well as her plans for the hereafter.


YC: How did you get involved in Youth Link?

GJ: Freshman year of high school, I just wanted something to do since I had so much free time. I came across and went through the Youth Link website, and emailed Helena. I got involved with Bellevue Youth Court, and then Bellevue Youth Link and the Kids Care Coat Drive.

YC: What else do you do in your spare time besides volunteering?

GJ: I do tennis and gymnastics. I also love to dance and sing.
And I like fashion a lot. It’s what I want to do when I grow up.

YC: Who is your inspiration?

GJ: I look up to my mom most of all. She’s a single mom so I really respect her and all the hard work she does.
I also look up to all my friends in the community. There is so much in the community that we are capable of doing. Opportunities are endless--in Bellevue, especially.
Also, my friends and their determination for their lives and career paths. Everyone I meet always has some cool background and something they want to do, and that inspires me to work harder.

YC: Do you have a path for set out for yourself?

GJ: I always have a goal set for myself. I let others inspire me but I create who I am.
My current goal is to have the 2011 Kids Care Coat Drive planned out. In general, I love volunteering and I would like to do more.
As for the future, I really want to get into UW business school or FIDM, the Fashion Institute of Design in Los Angeles, and have a career in the fashion business. I definitely will continue to help out with coat drive if I go to the UW or somewhere else close.

YC: How did you feel about receiving this award?

GJ: It was a huge surprise. It was really an honor and a privilege to get it. I think some of the other volunteers really deserved this award. This is a huge honor.
I’d like to thank Patrick Alina especially, because the Coat Drive would have never happened without his guidance, patience, and hard work.
I’d like to thank my mom and sister for always being there for me.
And of course, everyone who volunteered in both Bellevue Youth Link and the coat drive because if there weren’t volunteers to help out, it would have never taken off.

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