Student volunteer pedals to success

As Adam Berg was trying to find his future, he ended up helping the present lives of others.

Berg, a Colony High School senior, went to Finding Your Future, a local business that helps students with career choices, college admissions and similar subjects. The owner, Mari Jo Parks, advised Berg to get involved with a community service project, so he did -- a bike drive for the Special Santa program. Next week, 20 Valley kids will have a bike under the tree as a result.

"I sent out a couple of e-mails to my friends, and the response was pretty big," Berg said. "It really gave me a confidence boost when people were bringing four bikes in at a time."

As of Wednesday afternoon, Berg had collected 18 bikes, but some of them were in disrepair and he could only use them for parts. He had to fix the flat tires on several bikes, and repair the chains on still others. After a thorough cleaning, all of them looked like they were new.

"We've even got a tricycle and a scooter," Berg said. "And just about every kind of bike in between."

Parks said stories like Berg's is what makes the Special Santa program successful.

"He doesn't have to be here fixing bikes every night before Christmas, but he is and it's going to put a smile on some child's face on Christmas morning," Parks said.

Berg is a top student at Colony High School. He completed Advanced Placement calculus as a junior, and has already taken calculus courses at Mat-Su College. In addition to several other Advanced Placement classes he has taken, he is currently enrolled in Advanced Placement English -- which is only offered after school, as an extra-curricular course.

He certainly isn't going to dodge the tough subjects in school -- among his favorites are math and physics.

"I've always liked math," he said.

His big interest is music, and he belongs to several groups, playing the alto sax. He is an active member of the Colony jazz band and the Colony symphonic band, and he also accompanies the Colony jazz choir.

"I'm also in Hank Hartman's band, 'Just Playin' Jazz,' which is a lot of fun," Berg said.

When not playing the sax, you can probably find Berg immersed in his studies. He is preparing for college, where he wants to major in computer engineering. His first college choice is Olin College of Engineering.

"They have an emphasis on things like the arts, to make you a more well-rounded person," Berg said.