By Janet Wetzel
Enquirer contributor

When Azrael Evans' family moved from the inner city to suburban Wyoming, she was angry.

"Wyoming was the last place I wanted to be," said Azrael, 16, a Wyoming High School junior who was in seventh grade when they moved. "I was so mad about having to move, I had an attitude."

But a few weeks of being mentored at the Wyoming Youth Services Bureau changed her mind.

"They made me see how much I could benefit by being there, having a tutor/mentor to help me with my school work and someone to talk to. It helped me to adjust, be happier," she said.

After two years in the program, Azrael became a tutor/mentor for the bureau. She volunteers as often as every other day.

"Right after I left there, I went back, only this time I was the one helping kids," Azrael said. "I became cool with the workers there, and I liked the program altogether - helping kids with homework and giving them someone to talk to. I wanted to pass on the help I got."

In summer months, she helps children build their reading skills with the Pals program. She also cooks and serves meals at the Kid's Cafe.

Recently she and other teens, led by Wyoming's service coordinator Tony Gentry, gave a dance presentation at Sycamore Senior Center in Blue Ash.

"Azrael is awesome in dealing with others," Gentry said. "We have kids that come in here that are considered at risk, and some of them are discipline problems. She gladly works with them and is really good with them. They love her. She's one of the most down-to-earth, helpful, giving young people I've ever met. She's a wonderful example for other teens."

Evans, who is president of her Wyoming High School Pride Team, tries to show kids they can have fun without drinking or drugs. She said helping is in her blood.

"Even when I was a little kid, I liked that," she said. "I make the most out of my time. I know I could be using that time for other things, but I hate to waste my time when I could be doing this."

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Do you know a Hometown Hero - someone in your community dedicated to making it a better place to live and helping others? E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzel@siscom.net or fax to 513-755-4150.