鈥淪he just brightens our hallways.鈥�
Those are the words of principal Adam Moore.
This is Moore鈥檚 first year in that position at 91原创 Fundamental Secondary School, but when he arrived at the school in September, he quickly learned all about Grade 12 student Laura Stead.
And on Thursday night, the rest of the community also discovered just who the 17-year-old is as Stead was the recipient of the Township of 91原创鈥檚 Pete Swensson Outstanding Community Youth Award.
She received the award at the Township鈥檚 annual Volunteer Appreciation night on April 5 at the 91原创 Events Centre.
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For her part, Stead was surprised to win, especially after hearing her fellow nominees鈥� bios.
鈥淚 was so inspired and impressed by all the nominees,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was huge for me just to be nominated.鈥�
The award is presented to a Grade 11 or 12 91原创 high school student to recognize athletic achievements, scholastic effort, community involvement and personal qualities. The award is in memory of Pete Swensson, an internationally recognized athlete from 91原创 who began the 91原创 Walk.
The other nominees were , , , , , and .
Stead is a straight-A student who has earned the top student award in a dozen classes over the past three years. Athletically, she has starred on the 91原创 Fundamental volleyball and basketball teams since Grade 6, and has received the Tracy Bansham Memorial Scholarship while also earning several most inspirational player awards.
She is also involved with the school鈥檚 music program as both a vocalist and alto saxophone player and starred in the lead role in her school鈥檚 production of Beauty and the Beast.
Her outstanding work is not limited to just her school, either, as Stead has been heavily involved in her community, volunteering in the children鈥檚 ministry program at 91原创 Evangelical Free Church since 2014 and working at summer camps as a cabin leader and a counsellor in training.
These are just a snapshot of Stead鈥檚 extracurricular activities.
It was the efforts of her own councillors and church leaders who showed Stead the importance of giving back to your community.
鈥淭hey just really poured into me as a kid and helped me develop my confidence and my personality and everything like that,鈥� Stead explained.
鈥淚 just really wanted to continue it. I love that kind of environment, working with people, and I wanted to be a leader because I really looked up to the leaders I had.鈥�
鈥淭he reason she is such a great leader is just because of her huge heart 鈥� people respond to that,鈥� Moore explained.
鈥淪he has just bent over backwards and given up her own time and energy to do that.鈥�
And while Stead is being lauded for her kindness and compassion 鈥� she is always rushing to help a teammate or opponent up off the floor 鈥� she also displays a fierce competitiveness.
鈥淪he is this incredible combination of a competitor when she hits the floor and kind, soft and compassionate the rest of the time,鈥� Moore marvelled. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 often see the two sides of the coin 鈥� the kindness and compassion and then the grit and the fierceness on the court.
鈥淚t is pretty amazing to see those attributes so prevalent in one person.鈥�
As her high school days wind down, Stead plans on studying at Trinity Western University in the fall after being accepted into the nursing program.
sports@langleytimes.com
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