Nile
Trice, who turned 13 on March 1, is the kind of hard worker who
sold 584 boxes of Girl Scout cookies this year by knocking on every
door in her neighborhood.
She has
one year of private tutoring in American Sign Language under her
belt. She’s an honor student and student council member at
Pattonville Remington Traditional School, where she also plays
violin for the orchestra. In a couple weeks, she’ll earn her orange
belt in karate.
Yet if you
ask Nile what her life motto is, she’ll say, “Live life with a
laugh.”
Four of
her schoolmates confirmed that Nile is “funny” and “silly,” but not
when it comes to hard work.
“When it
comes to work, she’s serious,” said Rachel Kerwin, 12.
On March
12, more than 100 people attended her birthday party at the St.
Nicholas Skating Rink, 1805 Lucas Ave., which she held as a
fundraiser for Lewis Place residents who were victims of the Dec.
31 tornado.
“I felt
that since a lot of people lost their houses, I could help and give
back by roller-skating because I love to do that,” said Nile, who
lives in Maryland Heights.
Last year
at her 12th birthday party, Nile hosted a “PJs and Pins”
fundraiser at Strike and Spare Bowling Alley to benefit children at
Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital. As a result, the hospital asked
her to join its junior board.
“I like
the fact that she gets that she’s blessed,” said her mother, Ruby
Trice. “Community service is a big part of our family. For her to
find her own connection, it’s really important and
rewarding.”
“font-family: Verdana;”>Nile “font-family: Verdana;”>’s aunt, Pamela Talley, is the president of the Lewis Place Historical Preservation and has lived in the neighborhood for 28 years.
The Lewis
Place neighborhood – a historical landmark in St. Louis for its
role in the fight for fair housing – suffered an estimated $1
million in damage from the New Year’s Eve tornado. The storm
displaced many families, including a large number of elderly
residents with little or no insurance.
The U.S.
government denied federal emergency assistance to the area.
Residents have received some support from relief agencies, and
private donations and in-kind support have come in, but not nearly
enough, Talley said.
About
$1,600 has been raised in relief funds through private sources.
“That isn’t a lot of money but for us that’s good,” Talley said.
“We’re pretty thrifty.” Nile’s fundraiser added about
$1,200 to the fund.
“If you
work hard, you can get anywhere,” Nile said. “You just can’t sit
there and dream about it. You have to dream it, wish it and do it.
I think working hard comes with doing it.”
“font-family: Verdana;”>Nile “font-family: Verdana;”>intends to become a lawyer, sign-language interpreter and child psychologist. She aims to attend Harvard University for its prestigious law school and child-psychology program.
Food
or clothing donations for Lewis Place residents can be made
at Centennial Christian Church, 4950 Fountain Ave., between 9 a.m.
and 2 p.m. Call the church at 314-367-1818.
“font-family: Verdana;”>Financial donations are needed to assist homeowners with repairs and rebuilding. Checks can be made out to Lewis Place Historical Preservation, 3920 Lindell Blvd., Suite 206, St. Louis, MO 63108, attention: Pamela Talley. She can be reached at 314-535-1354.
