By BARBARA POLICHETTI

Beacon Media Staff Writer

In many ways, 17-year-old Derek La Fazia is a typical teen.  Having just completed his junior year at LaSalle Academy, he likes to play football, throw the javelin with the track team, and, in his spare time, hang out at Narragansett Beach with friends

But La Fazia has another passion – helping people in need.  And it’s something he has loved doing since he was little.

He remembers helping with a school canned goods drive for the needy when he was in kindergarten, and said it just always felt right to do something good for people.

He has since participated in numerous good causes and started some of his own.  His efforts recently recognized by Secretary of State Gregg M. Amore. He was selected to receive a civic leadership award, one of about 130 high school students statewide to be honored.

 “It just feels right to help others,” La Fazia said in an interview last week. “It’s more than a choice,  it’s what you feel you need to do…And, wouldn’t you want someone to help you if you were in need?”

Over the years, La Fazia has moved from participating in good causes to organizing them. When he was in the seventh grade, he organized a clean-up of a local historical cemetery, doing most of the work himself.

More recently, he partnered with Crossroads Rhode Island to host a “spring cleaning” drive dedicated to collecting much-needed household cleaning products for individuals who are transitioning from homelessness into stable housing.

This is his second year organizing what he calls the La Fazia Spring Cleaning Drive.  He said he learned from Crossroads staff that simple essentials, such as cleaning supplies, are often unintentionally overlooked when someone is making an important life transition and he likes being able to help fill that need.

LaFazia’s father is a Johnston firefighter, and he credits his family for helping to instill a sense of duty and compassion for others. 

In particularly, he always credits his grandfather, Robert La Fazia, a long- time member and former chair of the school committee.  “It’s the type of person he is that inspires me,” the younger La Fazia said.   “He has given so much service to the town.”

An honors student, LaFazia says he wants to be an Air Force pilot after he graduates high school, and he has his sights set up the U.S. Air Force Academy. He will take a step toward that dream next week when he leaves for the “Summer Seminar” offered by the Air Force Academy.  The competitive program is designed for high school juniors about to start their senior year, and it gives participants a chance to live like a U.S. Air Force cadet for four days.

La Fazia said he plans on continuing his charitable work and community service projects throughout his senior year at La Salle. When asked how he is going to fit everything in, he said it would actually be more difficult to ignore his passion to help others.                                              

“It may sound like a lot,” he acknowledged. “But if you truly enjoy something and it means something to you, you will always find time to do it.”