Larissa Boughton of Steinert High School

Larissa Boughton leads by example, even if it is without saying a word. Without asking, Larissa takes on the responsibility of helping her classmates or anyone in need. She is a contributing citizen at Steinert High School. For example, Larissa has been captain for the past two years of the Step Team. When the team was left without an advisor at the start of the school year, many of the members were upset. Larissa understood how important the team was to her teammates, and took the initiative to speak to the administration, to learn the process for establishing a new advisor, and approached teachers to apply for the position. As a result, the team has an enthusiastic new advisor, has grown in size, and is currently performing at school events.

Larissa has been a student assistant in the school library since sophomore year, and she has been instrumental in helping update and overhaul the library collections, assisting during her lunch period, before and after school, and even during summer break. Larissa is an active member of Steinert’s Women’s Select Choir, performing as a strong alto voice. She also was selected as a host for choir events, and is responsible for setting up music and stands. She has been a member of the school musicals throughout high school and assists with costumes and props. Larissa is also a Peer Leader, where she mentors and assists new students with their acclimation to high school.

The most rewarding experience for Larissa has been participating in Hamilton N.E.W.S. This is a club made up of North-East-West students in the Hamilton Township school district that tries to help spread tolerance, break down the walls of adversity and discrimination as well as address societal concerns that impact the schools and surrounding community. This school year Larissa has volunteered and attended every Hamilton N.E.W.S event, and found this activity eye-opening and impactful.

Aside from being extremely engaged within Steinert, Larissa volunteers her time in the community. She has managed the garden and organized bags of food and toiletries at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, and organized book bags with school supplies for children through her membership with Shiloh Baptist Church. Larissa also volunteers at the church’s Vacation Bible School where she monitors and facilitates activities for young children. For three years, Larissa has been a part of the Archonettes, a youth group of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, where she completes volunteer work in the city of Trenton. Larissa was recently named Archonette of the Year for her volunteer service. This past year, Larissa has become a part of the Trenton Chapter New Jersey Orators, where she has competed in public speaking and has received the Medal of Excellence at the New Jersey Orators competition. Larissa hopes to attend either The College of New Jersey or Rider University to study Psychology, with an interest in Child Development and to work with special needs children.