Samantha Kunkel, a junior at Lake Braddock Secondary School and a resident of Fairfax Station, has recently been elected by the countywide Student Advisory Council to serve as student representative on the Fairfax County School Board. Samantha, who begins her one-year term on July 1, is this week's People Profile.
Number of years in the Fairfax Station community: I have lived in Fairfax Station since I was 4, so that would be almost 13 years.
Family: My father Richard Kunkel, manager of Adult Addiction Services for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services; my mother Linda Kunkel, the director of marketing at the Heatherwood Retirement Community; and my brother Brian Kunkel, 27, is currently finishing school, and works as a night DJ at various clubs in D.C.
Education: Currently a junior at Lake Braddock Secondary. I would like to continue my education through college … I’m not quite sure where, but I would like to look at Clemson University.
Achievements: My most recent achievement is receiving the position for the student representative for the Fairfax County School Board. Other than that, I have been a class officer at Lake Braddock, and I am also the captain of my club soccer team and lacrosse team.
Activities/interests/hobbies: I enjoy playing soccer and lacrosse. During the summer, I love being at the beach. I also love being around little kids. I work at the Little Gym in Fairfax Corner, which teaches kid gymnastics and throws birthday parties for them.
Favorite local restaurant or place in Fairfax Station? Many people haven’t heard of this, but I love Pho, which is Vietnamese soup, with many restaurants placed throughout Springfield.
What is one thing you wish you could change about your community? I really wish that I could somehow help teens to drive better, including myself. Too many students are passing away in tragic accidents, and the grieving that their friends and family go through is just not fair.
Who has inspired you the most and why? My brother Brian has inspired me most because even though he had a tough time getting through high school and didn’t have a strictly determined attitude, he still is working hard to achieve his goals and earn the respect that he deserves. I always tell him, better late than never.
Personal goals: For the School Board, my personal goals are to do as well as [former student representative] Ian Hurdle did and follow in his foot steps. I would also like to try and modify the Kings Dominion law and start before Labor Day as opposed to after Labor Day. As for myself, I would like to do well in school, finish and progress through college and keep my friendships that I have made in high school.
Know someone who should be recognized for his/her accomplishments for his/her contributions to the community? Send People Profile nominations to Nina M. Dry at COMMUNITY@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-917-6422.