When LDS Hospital started a junior volunteer program more than 35 years ago, the all-female crew were called candy-stripers and could be easily recognized by red and white pinstripe jumpers.
But today, the "juniors" include a diverse mix of male and female teens who sport red polo shirts and khaki pants. The teens from all over the valley have traded in swimsuits and mall trips for shifts at the 10-week program.
"My goal is to become a surgeon, so I decided if I get the hospital field down, that would be perfect," said Jony Asay, 16, a Draper resident who has been volunteering at the hospital for three years. "I think each year, it gets more exciting. It's a blast."
The 76 "juniors," as they're dubbed, are from 14 to 17 years old and serve in 18 departments at the hospital, including the newborn intensive care unit, physical therapy and human resources. The volunteers' positive personalities help to energize staff and patients.
"They bring a lot of vitality," said Elaine Whitlock, volunteer coordinator. "With all the other things they could do during their summers, they spend it in hospitals. It's a commitment." But the volunteers don't seem to mind. Actually, most love their volunteer work.
"The people are really nice, and it's way fun," said Lisa Naujoks, 16, a Sandy resident who started volunteering this year. "I'm in the hospital setting and get to see what's going on."
Naujoks, who schedules her time at the hospital around a summer job, volunteers in two departments and splits her shifts between the Deseret Foundation and the Imaging Department. And, like many junior volunteers, Naujoks hopes to go into the medical field.
"I wanted to see how a hospital worked, because I want to go into the medical field," said Kassie Woodbury, 16, a Sandy resident who has been volunteering at the hospital for two years. "I wanted to see if I should dedicate my life to it."
Next year, Woodbury hopes to go to a college on the East Coast and said volunteering has "definitely helped" to prepare for medical school. Volunteering in various departments, like radiology, has even opened her eyes to different fields in a medical career.
"It's just a good experience for them to see how a hospital runs," said Whitlock, who also coordinates the adult volunteer program. "It's been wonderful, and the departments love having the juniors here. It's an all-around good thing for everyone."
But, not all volunteers are interested in the medical field. A few have a family member who works at the hospital, others have siblings who participated in the program, and some just like to serve.
"I don't really like medical stuff. I just want to help people," said Suzy Buckmiller, 17, a Taylorsville resident and fourth year volunteer. "I've been put in different departments every year and meet tons of new people."
This year Suzy volunteers in the materials department with her brother B.J., 15, a first-year volunteer. The two got into the volunteer program because an older sister spoke highly of her volunteering at LDS hospital. Hospital.
High school and junior high students must submit an application, interview, attend orientation and go through department training before they can begin the program that runs from June to August. Volunteers who shine above the rest and demonstrate outstanding talent, leadership and commitment receive scholarship awards worth $1,000.
While Suzy has worked in at least a half a dozen departments in the hospital, she said the flower drop, where volunteers deliver flowers to patients, is her favorite.
"You see their faces faces, and they're so excited to get something," she said.
And although B.J. doesn't know if he wants to go into the medical field and this is the last year his sister can volunteer with him, he says it's the full-time staff he works with that motivate him to come back.
"It's better than sitting at home and watching all the movies we own," Suzy said.
"Or watching me play Xbox," B.J. said.