Sarah Popelka, a junior at Crossroads School, was named Vista Volunteer of the Year in April. The selection committee noted, “She consistently goes the extra mile to make certain that our Vista Inspired Teens program is seen and heard by the community.”
Vista Inspired Teens is run by teens to enrich the lives of kids with special needs and is under the auspices of Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services in West Los Angeles.
Popelka, a Palisadian, volunteers weekly for the Miracle Theatre class—musical theatre and film for children and teens with autism and other special needs. The class offers dancing, singing, acting, theatre and social skills.
Miracle Theater founder Elaine Hall attended the United Nations ceremonies documenting World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and invited Popelka to join her. They heard U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon tell his audience, “This international attention is essential to address stigma, lack of awareness and inadequate support structures. Now is the time to work for a more inclusive society, highlight the talents of affected people and ensure opportunities for them to realize their potential.“
Susan Corwin, a Pacific Palisades resident and Vista Del Mar board member who serves as the Inspired Teens’ parent advisor, told the Palisadian-Post: “I’ve volunteered with Sarah every Monday night at the theatre. She is completely giving of herself to our students, whether helping them with the art project she created as our arts curriculum director or rehearsing a song from the show.
“She believes in her heart that our students can accomplish whatever they set their minds to and her positive feelings are contagious,” Corwin continued. “She is a gifted artist and student who is equally humble and has a gentle manner. It’s rare to see a teen so free of judgment with her peers but that’s the case with Sarah. It’s not about what someone appears to be, instead it’s about accepting you exactly for who you are and enjoying your friendship.”
At a recent Vista fundraiser, “Be Inspired at Duff’s Cakemix,” Popelka led a contest that involved teens designing a logo for aprons. Once a winner was selected, that person’s design was ironed on 30 aprons. The event raised more than $45,000.
Popelka is a longtime student at the Palisades Mission Renaissance Art Studio. On Sundays, when many teens sleep in, she tutors a girl in Cambodia in English, via Skype, from 6 to 9 a.m.
As a Crossroads freshman, Popelka won a silver medal in the National Latin Exam and for the past two years has won gold medals. She also swims breaststroke on the school’s swim team.
Popelka’s father, Al (president of Pacific Marketing Research), and her mother, Pamela (who formerly owned the Inscriptions Shop on Antioch), have lived in the Palisades for more than 35 years. Twin brother Stefan attends New Roads.
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