ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, January 22, 1996               TAG: 9601230041
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1    EDITION: METRO 
COLUMN: extra credit

A PAT ON THE BACK TO:

Name: Kristie Gregware

Age: 17

School: Staunton River High School

Year: Senior

What she does: After taking the required classes and hands-on training, Kristie passed the state exam and last May became a certified Emergency Medical Technician. She is on call with the Hardy Rescue Squad except during school hours, and runs calls with them whenever she is needed.

``Sometimes I do get called at night and still have to get up for school in the morning,'' she said.

``I was the first one at a wreck on the way home from school one day. I had to work without my co-workers. It was the first time I was in charge of a patient by myself. They [the squad members] said I did great.''

``She's a great kid and a very good squad member,'' said Robert Feather, cardiac EMT on the Hardy crew. ``She's more mature than a lot of the kids I know and has reacted well in an emergency.''

At Ridge View Brethren in Christ Church in Roanoke, Kristie has taught the younger children in Sunday school for several years, has been church secretary for two years and has been involved in the youth group there. She organized a 36-hour fast with the youth members, and got sponsors, to benefit world hunger.

``Kristie is so mature and so willing to do things for others,'' said pastor Darrell Smucker. ``She's a real leader in the youth group and has done a lot to help our church.''

An honor student, Kristie is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, has been a member and treasurer of Students Against Drunk Driving, is a member of the French Club and was elected to the Foreign Language National Honor Society.

``When a lot of other children are out partying, I've been impressed that Kristie seems to be firm in what she wants to do in the future and knows how to get there,'' said Ann Harrell, senior vice president of the retail division of Crestar Bank. ``Kristie is focusing on two goals, to assist her community with a critical need, while preparing herself for a long-term goal of becoming a doctor,'' Harrell wrote in her letter of nomination. ``As her mom's boss, I've known Kristie for 10 years.''

What she enjoys most: ``I enjoy being on the rescue squad, partly because it will help me in the long run. I want to be a pediatrician because I like the field of medicine and I want to help little kids get better.''

I would like people to think of me as: Honest and caring.

In my free time I like to: Read, hike and work on computers.

What I'd like to change about the world: ``I would change all the violence in the world because there's too much violence today.''

Most important issue facing teen-agers today: ``Peer pressure from friends to have sex, do drugs and drink.''

My greatest thrill has been: ``Passing my EMT test and getting accepted to college.''

My major goal in life is: ``To further my education and become a pediatrician and see the world, then settle down.''

Most important lesson I've learned in life: ``I can trust in the Lord and believe him and know that he will always be there for me.''

Greatest influence: "My parents."

Future plans: Kristie has been accepted at Emory & Henry. "I'm pretty sure I'm going there, then on to medical school.''

LENGTH: Medium:   69 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  Don Petersen. Staunton River High senior Kristie 
          Gregware is a certified Emergency Medical Technician. color.