Jessica Lupo: Dimples and Drive

BY KENDYL COUNTS

She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s an active member of National Honors Society, Student Government Association, Future Medical Professionals of America, and much, much more. The copious amount of fancy titles, however, sounds far more attractive prior to considering the commitment they imply. With one hand full of paperwork and the other full of nonperishable food items, a textbook under her left arm and a bag of bagels under her right, a plastic crown on her head, and a massive smile on her face, there’s never a dull moment for Cooper City High School senior Jessica Lupo, and that’s just the way she likes it.

Leaving everything behind in a small town on Florida’s lively Space Coast, Lupo enrolled in Cooper City High School at the start of her sophomore year. The title of “new kid” is always a difficult one to bear, and knowing only a handful of people, her time after school was often spent staring at screen, video game controller clenched in her fists. Aside from her academic responsibilities this was a calm and idle time for Lupo; the height of stress she experienced during these months of solitude came as she evaded death in a virtual world. As the end of her year sophomore rolled around, however, it became clear that this town had more to offer her than what she could find within a game.

“I moved here my sophomore year and I wasn’t involved,” Lupo said. “But if anyone wants to play Call of Duty, I’ve gotten [pretty] good.”

Lupo’s journey through Student Government Association (SGA) began as her sophomore year ended, and the amount of red, black, and white in her wardrobe increased exponentially. Currently the organization’s recording secretary, Lupo experienced an explosion of activity upon joining that set the tone for her newfound love for service. This omnipresent organization is responsible for many important tasks within and around the school, including fabricating and coordinating student events, and the collecting of donations and volunteers for community service projects. The annual Sexual Assault Treatment Center Christmas party, a particularly emotional event for Lupo, is one of her favorites in SGA’s repertoire.

“Those kids [had] a Christmas this year just because [we gave] our time and gifts,” Lupo said. “That was very moving; I cried, and I don’t cry often.”

Though constantly busy with events and projects, the most puzzling obstacle faced by the devoted members of SGA is the scarcity of school spirit; for the traditionally apathetic teenager, it is all too easy to develop that “too cool for school” attitude. Luckily for Cooper City High School, Lupo does not mind sharing snatches of wisdom from her own personal experience with anyone willing to listen.

“School spirit is probably the hardest thing you’ll face as a leader,” Lupo said. “[You’ll want to] create new innovative projects that kids want to participate in, which can be difficult. Positivity, humor, and free food always help.”

Recalling the first week of school when the students dressed as Russell, the bright and bubbly wilderness explorer from Up, Lupo could not help but grin. Adorned in buttercup yellow tops and brown pants like those of the typical boy scout, the members of SGA directed students to their new classrooms. The ingenuity of this silly escapade perfectly exemplifies the adaptability and creativity of Lupo and her peers, and its effectiveness was easily measured in smiles and a significant decrease in tardy markings.

“That really got school spirit going,” Lupo said. “It motivated us, with all of the students asking us questions about where [classrooms] were. It was a lot of fun.”

While many may feel that “fun” might not be the appropriate word to describe community service work, that is exactly what Lupo finds as a member of National Honors Society (NHS). The club holds a special place in her heart just as she holds a special place in the club; her love for helping others inspired her to run for and become president her senior year.

“My biggest accomplishment [at this school] has been becoming National Honors Society president,” Lupo said. “It’s such an honor.”

With the amount of projects that Lupo participates in on a regular basis, it is with great difficulty that she chooses her favorites. Though all of the club’s outreach activities provide a heartwarming sense of fulfillment, it is with the Harvest Drive and Museum Day that she is able to see the impacts of the National Honors Society tireless efforts right before her eyes.

“It can be difficult for the members to see how impactful their donation, their contribution, and their volunteering actually is until [they attend] the event,” Lupo said. “but [at Harvest Drive] when you see a gym full of foods like canned goods stacked up 10 feet high, you know you’re making a difference.”

Museum day, a lesser known project among the students of Cooper City High School, began as a chapter-specific project. Originally just a field trip when members of National Honors Society brought students from Banyan Elementary School to the Museum of Discovery and Science, the project has since been adopted by Broward County and participation of other chapters is encouraged. This March the students will go to the museum to marvel at the animal exhibits, IMAX films, and interactive activities, many for the first time. In the past this event has proven to be one of the most rewarding of all for Lupo; she describes it fondly as “adorable, with smiles everywhere.”

“At Cooper City High School we’re fortunate enough to have everything that we do,” Lupo said.
“We have a brand new cafeteria and a brand new school in general. Being able to reach out beyond our community to other struggling areas or schools is beneficial to both us and the school [being helped]. We’re able to give back when they can’t afford things or have the opportunity to do things that we do.”

With her final year at Cooper City High School coming to an end this June and her time in the club running out, Lupo realizes that soon she must begin preparations to let someone else take over. But for now, she strives to uphold the principles of National Honors Society until the very end: character, scholarship, leadership, and service.

Membership in two major clubs should realistically be enough to keep the average person busy, but Lupo seeks out opportunities on a regular basis, never passing up a chance to get involved in something new. As vice president of Future Medical Professionals of America and a first year member of DECA, as well as a Relay for Life Team captain and ambassador, one can only imagine the amount of extracurriculars she will be able to list on her college application. Enticing as it sounds, however, Lupo stresses that she did not join this wide assortment of clubs for the titles, recognition, and prestige; she joined out of pure interest and to satiate her restless spirit.

“I needed something to focus my energy on, and giving back and community service [have] probably been the best ways for me to do that,” Lupo said. “I don’t want to be bored, and it keeps me busy.”

“Busy” is an understatement; her intense devotion to Cooper City High School was reason enough to crown her Homecoming Queen this past October, giving her some well deserved spotlight for the devotion with which she contributes to this community. On top of her slew of extracurricular activities, Lupo balances schoolwork, dual enrollment, and two jobs- one at Publix and one at JP’s Bagels, a diner owned by Cooper City High School’s very own Mr. Dwayne Dixon. Very likely the result of Lupo’s lack of free time, she’s managed to develop a rare superpower: she’s been gifted the ability to really, genuinely enjoy her job.

“There’s never a boring day at the diner,” said Lupo. “It’s fast paced and it keeps you on your feet, and since I’m a server, and I can carry pretty much anything now.”

Through Lupo’s work with Mr. Dixon, the sponsor of National Honors Society and the owner of JP’s bagels, she’s found that his persevering attitude is one she hopes to emulate.

“Mr. Dixon’s a great role model,” said Lupo. “[I admire] his hard work and dedication – he’s the coolest.”

At this point, Lupo’s future is clouded; where she’ll go from here remains undecided. Still, one thing remains certain: no matter where she ends up, she refuses to waste her precious days alone in a room with a screen and a controller.

“The first thing I’m going to do is get involved,” Lupo promised. “College student government is really cool, [and] I’ve been bouncing around with joining a military program. I like what they stand for, and [I want] to keep it interesting.”

Fortunately, Lupo seems to have a knack for finding excitement under any circumstances, and approaches all opportunities with an exuberant fearlessness and optimism. With two jobs, four clubs, 520 community service hours, and her secret weapon (an infectious smile), Lupo is ready to take her future and run with it.

“[I feel like] I have the world at my fingertips, like I could just close my eyes, push a pin into a map, and go,” Lupo said. “It doesn’t matter where I end up, because there will always be people that need help, and I’ll always be ready and waiting.”