Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 7:12 pm

Ashley McFarland and Kylie Slayden

Competive Vandy program on second in nation
Brentwood Home Page news reports
For the second year, Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital offered30 highly motivated teens from across the nation the opportunity to participate in the Summer Teen Volunteers, STriVe, program.

Ashley McFarland and Kylie Slayden, both students at Ravenwood High School, were among the few chosen to participate.

 Modeled after the “Volunteen” summer program at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the teens work closely with patients, siblings and parents, explore career paths, develop leadership skills, develop interpersonal team building and increase creative initiative.

Getting into the program is as rigorous as the program itself.  In order to be selected,  participants must initially submit a STriVe packet that includes an extensive application, reference forms, an essay, health records and an “all about me” information sheet.  Previous volunteer experience, work experience, GPA and leadership positions were some items considered. 

 “I worked for eight hours on my application,” said McFarland.  “I wanted this opportunity more than anything else.”  McFarland’s qualifications included  prior volunteer work, prior work experience, a high GPA and an previous internship at The Body Farm near Knoxville.

Next, a multidisciplinary team of hospital staff review the packets and narrow down applicants.  Selected teens are then interviewed in a session that includes a group activity which allows them to demonstrate their creativity, communication skills, and ability to take initiative.

“I was really nervous during my interview activities,” Slayden said.  “I felt like I was in kindergarten again when the teacher had to observe me while I played with my friends.” 

 During each session, the teens worked with patients, siblings and parents for four hours each day.  McFarland says that the time she spent working with the kids in the pre-surgery playroom were some of her best memories as a StriVe volunteer.

“I helped the kids take ownership of something in a world that seemed completely out of their control,” says Ashley.  “I helped the kids decorate their own ‘surgery doll’ that they could hold on to during their surgeries.  We also decorated surgery masks together.  I felt so good as I saw the kids relax and enjoy one part of their overwhelming, surgery experience.”  

 As part of the Motor Vehicle Safety Program, teens actually simulated trauma injuries.  “The program really brings drinking and driving to life.  Through the intense movie as well as the simulation where we actually participate in recovery activities, I have an entire new perspective of teen drinking,” stated Slayden.

Both McFarland and Slayden said the program changed their lives.  

Currently, Vanderbilt is only the second hospital in the nation to offer this summer teen program.