Whenever or wherever help is needed, Ashley Bull can be counted on.

鈥淎shley is quite the kid,鈥� said Walnut Grove Secondary vice-principal Jim Darby.

鈥淪he is always ready to pitch in and help out whenever an extra pair of hands is needed.鈥�

The Grade 12 student was honoured as the recipient of the 2012 Pete Swensson outstanding community youth award on Thursday night.

She beat out six other outstanding nominees from high schools throughout 91原创 and Aldergrove.

The list included , , , , and .

The award is in recognition of a student鈥檚 athletic, scholastic and community efforts.

Some of Bull鈥檚 volunteer exploits include coaching field lacrosse, both in 91原创 and Maple Ridge, serving as a senior member of Walnut Grove鈥檚 GQ (Gator Quality) Ambassador Program, which helps Grade 8 students transition into high school, helping the school鈥檚 Humanitarian Club, volunteering at a local soup kitchen, and working as a crew member at the RockRidge Young Life Camp.

She is also an honour roll student, one of 鈥� she represented her country at the U19 field lacrosse championships in 2011 as a 16-year-old 鈥� and is off to Buffalo in the fall on an athletic scholarship to Canisius College.

For Bull, she just loves the feeling of helping others.

鈥淚t is a good feeling, the feeling of knowing you have helped someone in a time of darkness for them,鈥� she described.

With the Humanitarian Club, the students help out at Friends 91原创 Vineyard.

The students prepare soup, set up the tables and chairs, and then serve whomever happens to come in the downtown 91原创 church.

鈥淵ou see them (homeless) outside and wonder what their story is,鈥� Bull said.

鈥淚t is good to see them come in and forget about all that and experience some help.鈥�

While not an official member of the Humanitarian Club, Bull said she likes what the club stands for.

鈥淭hey put themselves forward to help the community,鈥� Bull said.

鈥淎nd they don鈥檛 expect anything from it, they just want to see good things happen.鈥�

鈥淚f you tell her something needs to be done, she gets it done,鈥� said Julia Bryant-Taneda, who taught Bull last year and is also involved in running the Humanitarian Club.

鈥淪he is a very hard-working girl and has very high expectations for herself.鈥�

Bryant-Taneda also described the 17-year-old as having a great sense of humor, witty and charming and perceptive.

鈥淪he is a critical  thinker, a sharp, astute young lady,鈥� the teacher added.

When not volunteering in the community or playing field lacrosse, school plays a central role in Bull鈥檚 life.

鈥淚 have loved my time at Walnut Grove,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t has been amazing.鈥�

Bull played on the school鈥檚 basketball team and after playing volleyball for her first couple of years of high school, she shifted from playing to volunteering her time, whether it be as a scorekeeper, or some other task which needs completing.

During her spare at school, it is not uncommon for Bull to wander into a classroom and help out the teachers.

鈥淩ight from Grade 8, she has been one of those kids that everyone really enjoys having around the school and in classes,鈥� Darby said.

鈥淪he is really  personable and is a positive-outlook type of kid as well.鈥�

Bull has her sights set on becoming a PE teacher and coach at the high school level.