The volunteer: Orlie Reid, an Annapolis resident and psychotherapist, was recently honored as one of "Maryland's Most Beautiful People" at the annual volunteer awards ceremony sponsored by the Maryland You Are Beautiful campaign.
Mr. Reid, the Anne Arundel County recipient, was recognized for his work with Annapolis High School students as director of Concerned Black Males of Annapolis.
As part of this group, Mr. Reid and five other adults, accompanied 13 teen-agers to China, a learning experience that Mr. Reid called a dream come true.
Comments: "[The Concerned Black Males of Annapolis] has its beginning about four years when 15 black youth were expelled from Annapolis High School. I got these kids together and worked with them for a year every week and got them back in school.
"I called some of my friends to help, and out of that grew the Concerned Black Males of Annapolis, involving people who are interested in making a difference with our kids.
"We developed a comprehensive program at the school that involved trying to work to change basic attitudes by setting up experiences and goals that will make students work toward academic achievement as well as having a positive behavior.
"We went in, took 11th- and 12th-graders, tried to find the leadership types and give them the support that was necessary to be role models for the younger kids coming into the school.
"The reason we went to China was to help these kids feel better about who they were and what they were capable of doing, to ex
pand their ability to dream and feel they can make it come true. "When I first talked about the China trip, no one thought it was possible but through working to make it happen, they learned a lot about what is possible.
"We can't afford to let any of our kids go out on the street and not take advantage of opportunities to learn, grow and develop.
"I'm looking at trying to enable kids to become the best that they can be."
Information: Mr. Reid invites others in the community who would like to assist him with the work of being positive role models for African American youths to call him at 263-1100.
"Volunteer Spotlight" is compiled by Kevin Harrison. To recommend someone, call the Anne Arundel Bureau, 315-8911, any time or fax information to 315-8916 or mail it to: The Sun for Anne Arundel, 8131 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena 21122.
