This article originally appeared in Good Day, Berks — Spotlight PA’s free daily newsletter for Berks County and your daily dose of Berks County essentials. Sign up here.
This week’s Community Spotlight honoree is Stella Belinski, 17, a junior at Governor Mifflin High School who volunteers in a variety of roles and is a community and economic development intern with the O’Pake Institute at Alvernia University.
This conversation, which took place in person, has been edited for length and clarity.
Good Day, Berks: Where do you live?
Stella Belinski: Shillington
Tell us a little about your family.
My family includes my parents and my brother. I am also very close to my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Tell us about your work and what you like about it.
I enjoy being involved in the community and I like to stay busy. I’m active at my church, Immanuel United Church of Christ in Shillington, and will be going on my fifth mission trip this summer in Guatemala.
Right now, I’m working as a community and economic development intern with the O’Pake Institute at Alvernia University’s Reading CollegeTowne campus. As an intern, I get to do hands-on work with nonprofits and other community programs. Right now I’m researching methods of increasing civic engagement in Reading. It’s a great experience because the culture at O’Pake is so amazing. My mentors consistently empower me to lead with creative problem solving and critical thinking before seeking guidance. I am grateful to have a position where I can think outside the box, while also having a strong support system.
I’m learning so much and I’m grateful to Governor Mifflin and Alvernia for giving me so many opportunities. I feel like I’m doing important work that is truly making a difference.
Tell us about a challenge you faced.
I have struggled with anxiety and depression. While it can make it difficult to do all the things I want to accomplish, I have found ways to handle it and I am grateful to my family for being my support system.
Favorite place to eat in Berks County?
Spoonful Thai Bistro in West Reading is my favorite place to eat in Berks County. The Pad Thai there is amazing. A close second is Nonno Alby’s, which is our family’s favorite place to go for dinner. You can’t beat the pizza there.
Where would you take a visitor to in Berks and why?
I would take a visitor to Nolde Forest. It has great hiking trails, and I love how the scenery changes as the seasons change. I especially love hiking at Nolde in the winter when the trees are covered in snow, and in the summer when the trees are in full bloom.
What book, poem, song, or artwork is meaningful to you?
There’s a poem called “She’s a Bit Much” by Lyndsay Rush that really speaks to me. I have it hanging above my bed to remind me every day to be myself. Also, I love to read, and I finished my 15th book this year. So far, my favorite is The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Who in your life has had a great influence on you, and how did they influence you?
My parents have had the most influence on me. Ever since I was little, they have shown me the importance of caring for and being engaged in my community. They are the reason I am so vocal about the things I care about. They have always supported me in everything that I do, and they encourage me to always be myself and try new things.
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