Naperville N. junior dedicates free time to DuPage Children's Museum

Seeing children's faces light up when they suddenly grasp a new concept is all the reward Etienne Demarteau needs for his volunteer work at the DuPage Children's Museum.

The Naperville North High School junior has logged more than 170 hours at the museum.

"I enjoy being able to interact with kids. Not only do you help kids have a good time but you learn something new about life," he said.

"You also learn something new because children are very unique. Every time I see a kid learn something new or do something awesome, the smile on their face is so genuine and pure … some of those moments I will never forget."

Demarteau, who lives in Naperville, started volunteering at the museum in June 2006. He began as a greeter, then trained with an early childhood specialist so he could become an exhibit facilitator, working directly with children. He makes time in his schedule each Saturday to volunteer.

"I realized that throughout my life I've always taken a lot of things for granted," he said. "You always (at) museums see people helping around … when I got to high school I realized I shouldn't take things for granted, I should do something about it."

Diane Ernst, the museum's volunteer coordinator, said Demarteau goes above and beyond and is always asking staff how he can help, whether it's with paperwork or spending time with children.

"He really cares about young children," Ernst said. "He gets down on the floor with them, he plays with them. Being a teenager, he still remembers how to play."

For his efforts, Demarteau recently received several recognitions from the museum, as well as the KidsMatter and City of Naperville's Youth Service Award.

When he's not volunteering, Demarteau is also involved in Naperville North's math team and Key Club, plays piano and is active in his Chinese school.

After high school, he hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

"I've always wanted to do something in medicine where you an constantly help people and save people," he said.

"Doctors are a priceless and invaluable resource that save people who can never be replaced … and I think that's a great gift, to have the ability and opportunity to help touch people's lives."