In an address to Ohio University students last year, President Bush encouraged students to be involved in service. The President said, “I hope each of you will help build this culture of service, for three important reasons: service is important to your neighbors; service is important to your character; and service is important to your country.” This quote applies well to upcoming KAHS graduate, Sarah Walker. Throughout her high school career, Walker has taken leadership roles in different organizations and served her peers through various mentoring projects. Last year, Walker enrolled in a leadership development course. Upon completing the course, students in the class could mentor other high school students. Walker chose to mentor her younger brother and sister by helping them with their homework. “I saw this as a way to get closer to my brother and sister while helping them,” said Walker. When the opportunity came to mentor elementary students, Walker took on the challenge. She explained the program, “Teachers identified students that needed help, and we were paired up with the students.” Walker works with a first-grade student and helps her where needed. “This is really a rewarding experience,” said Walker. “I get to think about what I had trouble with in first grade and help her with [it].” The pair read books together, go to the computer lab and complete difficult assignments. They specifically work on projects that the young pupil finds difficult. “Today, we practiced her spelling list before she took a spelling test,” said Walker. To make the activity more fun, the pair spelled out the words on the sidewalk with chalk. What makes the relationship extra special is that both girls have a passion for art. “She is an artist like I am and she draws pictures for me.” Walker offered. “She also wrote a sentence about me today in her daily planner.” This makes mentoring a rewarding experience for both parties. Serving the Target Market Walker also builds character by encouraging her peers not to smoke through the grassroots organization Target Market. In the organization, Walker was chosen to serve as a Stearns County Statewide Board Member. Only 200 of the group’s 30,000 members are chosen for this honor. Walker became involved with Target Market when her younger brother told her about the opportunity. She researched the group and decided it was a cause she was interested in serving. Recently, Walker drove a group of students to the St. Cloud mall. They put post-it notes up around the mall educating their peers about the danger of smoking. Since Kimball doesn’t have an adult Target Market advisor, Walker and local students have gotten involved on their own – something that Walker is used to doing. When asked where she developed her leadership skills, Walker humbly said, “I think that I learned them on my own.” She explained that she is interested in different things than most other teens. She is an avid reader and enjoys learning on her own. When she finishes a book, or finds a cause she feels is important, she tries to share this information with her peers. Walker seems willing to help wherever she can. Revealing herself through art “Each individual piece of art has you behind it,” explained Walker. “As people look at your piece, they can see a part of you in your work. They can see how you think and feel.” Walker is the KAHS art club’s president. Her duties include helping with all of the art shows and planning and putting on field trips for members. She has also attended a variety of art shows and has won many awards for her work. Walker has used her art talents to help others. “In class, students will come to me for help instead of going to the teacher,” said Walker. And she is more than willing to offer her input. “I learn more about myself when I help others.” A main point in President Bush’s speech was that “Service is not a chain or a chore – it gives direction to your gifts, and purpose to your freedom.” Walker has used her mentoring skills and artistic talent to help out others, which has given her life great direction and a lot of potential. Walker is the daughter of Nancy and Mark Schreiner. She plans on attending cosmetology school in St. Cloud next year.
