THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 15, 1995 TAG: 9509150044
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: TEENOLOGY
SOURCE: BY SHARON GREENE, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 88 lines
Each year Teenology searches for two sage high school seniors to write our Listen Up! column. Those who apply must prepare a lengthy application and submit answers to sample questions. Finalists undergo rigorous questioning from the the Teenology editor and the outgoing advice columnists - Smitha Gottimukkala and Jonathan Kolm.
We'd like to introduce Karen Baranski of Green Run High and Vorando Mack of Norview High, who competed for the job with over 40 students and are this year's Teenology advice columnists.
Their column will run biweekly in Teenology starting next Friday. If you'd like to ask them a question, call INFOLINE at 640-5555 and enter category 8335, or write to them at Listen Up!, 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462.
WANTED: Capable high school senior to advise troubled teens for local newspaper. Must be honest and knowledgeable yet helpful. Those without writing skills and personality need not apply.
FOUND: Vorando Mack, 17, a senior at Norview High and this year's male advice columnist.
To a casual observer, Vorando might seem like a typical teen: He enjoys playing ball, shopping for bargains at the mall, watching the late night show of ``Faces of Death'' at the movies and just hanging around his Norfolk 'hood. He has an after-school job working as a food preparer and a ``crockery sanitation director'' (a k a dishwasher) at Hits at the Park, the restaurant at Harbor Park.
Those who know him, however, say that Vorando is far from typical.
Best friend Steven Merchant, a 16-year-old senior at Princess Anne High, boasts, ``He's the only guy I know and call a friend that won't lie to me and that I can talk to about anything.''
Vorando is sensitive enough to pen poetry, committed enough to maintain pen pals from the Carolinas to Illinois to L.A. and determined enough to go after a job he's wanted for more than two years (say, as the Teenology advice columnist).
He's even prepared for the positive and negative feedback that he knows his advice will bring from readers.
``I learn more about myself from confrontation,'' he said.
When asked who has had the most impact on his life, Vorando, with a proud laugh and a clap of the hands, exclaimed, ``That's Momma, Ms. Wanda G. Mack.''
Vorando said that not only is Ms. Mack there for the normal parental duties - care, protection and feeding - but his mother also is firm, religious and the type of person he can go to when he just needs to talk. Her insights and experience have really taught Vorando a lot about people and life, and he believes that this guidance has helped in his counseling of others.
Even though he's been giving advice to people for years, Vorando is really excited about this job.
``I screamed like a little girl when I found out I was `the one,' '' he admitted with a smile.
He knows he's well-prepared, having given his friends advice for, well, just about as long as he's been their friend. ``They like to talk because I listen and give a response,'' Vorando said.
Another special quality is the honesty of the responses he gives. ``It may not be what they like or want to hear, but it's what (I feel) is best for them,'' he said.
He notes that this can be especially true regarding relationship problems. He does warn guys to beware of who they try to hook up with.
``You have to be careful,'' he said. Vorando has thought better of his childhood desire to be a National Geographic explorer (he doesn't want to be away from civilization or his friends). Now he aspires to be a teacher or professor of biology or ethnic or social studies and might even pursue a career in the writing field.
For now, though, local teens can appreciate his talents on a more personal level. In the future, look forward to getting sage words of advice from the kind of guy who's smart, funny, friendly and still reads Dear Abby every day. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN/Staff
Vorando Mack
Sharon Greene is a Princess Anne senior.
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB