Los Servicios en Español
Privacy Policy

In The News

She makes a difference
'Reason to Roll' was reason to cheer
for Waukegan teen

April 14, 2007
By Judy Masterson

WAUKEGAN -- A Waukegan High School senior has earned national recognition for her effort to help young victims of sexual abuse.

Alicia Conover, 18, was one of thousands of people who organized a service project for the 16th annual Make A Difference Day, held Oct. 28, 2006 . The nation's largest day of volunteering, Make A Difference Day is sponsored by USA Weekend in partnership with the Points of Light Foundation

Conover, whose name appears in the April 13-15 issue of USA Weekend in today's News-Sun, organized Real Kids CARE, a youth leadership group that will work with LaCASA -- the Lake County Council Against Sexual Assault -- to raise awareness and funds to help heal young victims of sexual violence.

"CARE stands for Creating a Rape-Free Environment," said Conover, who rounded up about 15 youth volunteers to help plan and put on "A Reason to Roll" bowling fund-raiser at Bertrand Bowling Lanes on Make A Difference Day last year. The event, which raised more than $1,000 for LaCASA, featured bowling, a costume party, dancing and food.

Conover wants to give victims of sexual abuse hope, to let them know they are not alone and not at fault.

"We wanted to raise money for kids who need counseling," Conover said. "It was important for us that it be a youth-run thing."

A member of the National Honor Society, a Schuler Scholar, and president of her class, Conover is also a survivor of sexual abuse.

"I have seen first-hand how sexual abuse destroys lives," she stated on her Make a Difference Day submission. "It is devastating how many people go unhelped, and how many beautiful lives are thrown away because of it. I want to wake up my world and help victims become survivors."

Conover has an exciting future.

Next fall she will attend Brown University in Rhode Island on a full-ride scholarship. She intends to design her own major in international peace relations and civil rights advocacy. She hopes to study in India during her sophomore year. She was also accepted at Duke University, where she plans to pursue graduate work in international relations.

Sally Conover, Alicia's mother, said she is both happy and proud.

"She blows my mind," Conover said. "She's my inspiration. I teeter between crying because I'm so happy and because she's leaving."

Alicia, who one day hopes to start a global foundation to fight sexual abuse, credits her mother and her grandmother, Sue Francis, with helping her stay positive and focused.

"They've been way better than any mom and dad I could have had," she said.

The determined young woman is busy training other youth to take over leadership of Real Kids CARE.

"Children who have lost everything will again have a future because of this project," she said.