Current P.A.R.K. Students
Noel Garling
Her Christian faith is at the core of who Noel Garling is. She enjoys attending church and teaching her Sunday school class, and this Mills University Studies High School senior explained how P.A.R.K. has helped her in her faith journey.
“P.A.R.K. to me means exactly what it stands for. It has helped me, because it gave me a way (to act) in situations whether it was doing drugs, smoking, having sex or other peer pressures.”
Monique Hickman, Education Outreach Coordinator says, “Noel shows what a positive atmosphere can produce in a kid. Noel started the program a timid girl, at times unsure of herself. She became a member of the all-girl group P.G.F. (Project Get Fit), and we began to see a transformation. Noel just recently won the election for 2008-09 P.G.F. President. She is active in school as well as P.A.R.K. She is a leader that many students, especially the young ladies, look to for responsibility and guidance.”
Garling is indeed a leader. In addition to her P.A.R.K. involvement, she is a member of FCCLA, FCA, the band, and the flag line at school and has received various awards in math, band, and science. She is on the Usher Board at church while also teaching Sunday school.
Garling credits P.A.R.K. in helping her with her G.P.A. and in exposing her to other things. “I never really thought I could ever make a three-point anything,” she commented. The second nine weeks in the 2008-2009 school year, Noel had the highest GPA of 3.7. “It (P.A.R.K.) has opened doors for me to see parts of the world, famous people, et cetera, that I probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do so.”
This family oriented young lady who enjoys singing loves doing family related events with her mother and two brothers. In fact, she lists this as one of her hobbies.
In the words of Mrs. Hickman, “Noel has a very bright future ahead of her!”