This spring the teachers at Sacred Heart School, a K-12 school in Morrilton, voted Claire Andrews, 17, outstanding senior. Although Sacred Heart is a smaller school, Andrews has been a leader in a big way for both her school and community.
Andrews will graduate in a class of 19, which she sees as an advantage. The small size allowed her to participate in various activities, such as the Quiz Bowl, golf and Lady Rebel basketball teams.
“I would not have had the opportunity to play on a basketball team (at a bigger school),” she said. “You play because you can.”
She also became a student leader in seventh grade as a member of the student council. She has held a position on the council every year since then, and she led the organization as student council president last year.
“It’s a big deal at our school,” she said.
One of her favorite parts of student council is that “everybody listens to you,” even if the participant is a seventh grader. “It’s really cool,” she said.
“Student Council gets to plan all the fun stuff — homecoming, spirit week, grandparents day and Follies (an outdoor field day). And all the school dances except prom,” she said.
As a member of Sacred Heart Church, she enjoys doing service projects and worshipping with the church’s CYM.
“Our group goes to the nursing home and sings to (the residents),” she said. “We get together every month for a prayer service. We also do Masses and attend state CYM events.”
In addition to school and church events, Andrews participates in many community activities in her hometown of Morrilton.
For the Veterans Walk of Flags, a fundraiser for a local veterans’ organization, Andrews helps to put out hundreds of American flags sponsored in honor of veterans by their families. These flags have to be set out early in the morning of patriotic holidays.
She also helps the Kiwanis Club pick up trash at least once every two months.
Andrews plans to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville this fall, and she is considering broadcast journalism as a major.
“I like to talk to people and go out in the community. My principal told me that is something I would be good at. I can kind of see myself on the news,” she said.
She also plans to continue volunteering.
“I know it’s helping other people, and it’s something I really enjoy doing,” she said.
Click here to see the index of stories in Arkansas Catholic’s Graduation 2012 special section.
