| Athena of the Month: Kaeleigh Thorp By: Shannon Southerland This month’s Athena is 17 year-old Kaeleigh Thorp. Not only is she successful academically, but she keeps herself busy with extra- curricular activities and volunteer- ing. Kaeleigh is an incredible young woman and an excellent role model for young teens. Academically, Kaeleigh is currently earning a 4.43 grade-point average in high school, while also holding a 4.0 g.p.a. in community college. Not only is she a member of Mensa, The International High IQ Society and Top One Percent Society, but she has received several awards and recognition for her academics. She has been recognized as a science scholar and grant recipient by the United States Achievement Academy and has been nominated for the Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award and as a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar. She has also participated in a fall internship with President Obama’s “Organizing for America,” and was voted Valedictorian of her class. Although it may sound like Kaeleigh has a full plate with academics alone, she is just as involved with her extra-curricular activities and volunteering. In athletics Kaeleigh has played basketball, softball, flag football and was a Junior Cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders. She is also a member of her high school track and field team, where she has lettered in shot put and discus. Something that is a part of Kaeleigh’s life is acting and modeling. She has held roles in her high school’s productions of Rent, Carousel and West Side Story. Outside of school she has been in public service announcements, educational videos, a Barack Obama video and was in a national commercial. Kaeleigh also does modeling and has been featured in print, web, and has been on the runway. She is a Teen Vogue “It” Girl and is a Neutrogena “Fresh Faces” semi-finalist as well as a Nature’s Cure “Clear Confidence” finalist. Kaeleigh has also competed in teen pageants, she is currently the reigning Miss California National Teenager and will be competing in the Miss Teenage California pageant. Another thing that is a big part of Kaeleigh’s life is volunteering. She is very involved with our troops and has completed 1,200 hours on the Presidents Service Award site. With our troop’s she is involved with Soldiers’ Angels and Soldiers’ Bakers where she sends care packages and correspondence to troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. She was also the leader of a holiday card program for troops in Iraq. Along with donating her time with our troops, she has also done fundraising for UNICEF, Red Cross, WorldVision and the American Heart Association. Her amazing volunteer work doesn’t end there Kaeleigh has not only donated blankets and teddy bears to Children’s Hospital, but participated in an “Adopt a Family” holiday program. Kaeleigh is a wonderful young woman, who does so much for others while at the same time balancing the demands of her busy life. She is proof that no matter how much time you think you have you can still help out those around you and help to make someone else’s life a little better. With everything Kaeleigh has done and accomplished she is a great inspiration to girls and women of all ages. |
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