MOM THANKFUL DAUGHTER FINDS JOY IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

Carol Dean isn't surprised that her daughter, Lillian, 15, is so active in school and church clubs.

But what amazes her most is how Lillian does everything from Spanish club to Girl Scouts activities and still maintains her grades. And she has fun at it.

"I guess part of it is the way she was raised and how her personality bends," Carol Dean said.

With involvement in Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity and church, the lessons Lillian has learned center around doing good and helping others.

Besides, it just makes a person feel good, Lillian said.

"It gives you a good feeling," she said. "It's nice to see teen-agers who go out and help when you think maybe they have better things to do. It's nice to see that we do care about other people."

Lillian is a sophomore at Cape Girardeau Central High School, which makes her a member of the Class of 2000.

And that designation has given her some opportunities she never expected.

Dean served on the city's Vision 2000 city flag design committee and has helped with a Vision 2000-Class of 2000 cleanup of Cape Girardeau's south side.

Carol Dean said maybe her daughter is getting more attention because of the Class of 2000 designation, but "she hangs out with wonderful people."

Some of Lillian's friends from the youth group at Westminster Presbyterian Church will spend part of the summer in Arkansas learning about a breeding program that provides cows to Third World countries.

"We're going to find out what it's like to live in a Third World country," she said.

Lillian doesn't mind keeping busy, with volunteer activities and summer plans.

"I don't mind going from one thing to the next," she said. "It's just fun because we have a good time, and when you get done it gives you a good feeling."