This Week's Whiz Kid: Katherine Walters

Name: Katherine Walters.

School: Bunnell High School.

Achievements:

Katherine is a dedicated student who has received First Honors throughout her high school career, and is currently ranked 6th out of her 302 student senior class.

Since Grade 11, Katherine has been a member of Bunnell's Link Crew, which helps incoming freshmen acclimate to high school. Aside from the honor of being chosen among a select group of students, Katherine also enjoys getting to know all the students and helping them when they need it. As a Junior, she received the Fairfield University Book Award.

Katherine has also excelled in sports. Having played volleyball since 9th Grade, Katherine was the recipient of the sportsman award in her junior year and was voted by her fellow teammates to be the current captain of Bunnell's Varsity Girls Volleyball team. In 9th and 10th Grade, Katie was the co-captain of the Connecticut Juniors Volleyball League. She has also played softball and is currently the team manager. She has participated in indoor track and has been a member of the ski club since Grade 10.

Ms. Walters is currently the Vice-President of Bunnell's Volunteer Club, an Ambassador for a Local Girl Scout Troop, and is the Treasurer of the Usher's Guild, which as a member allows her to attend and help at various school activities. These activities include plays, orientations, open houses and graduation. In 10th and 11th Grade, Katherine was the co-captain of a Relay for Life team, which is hosted by the American Cancer Society and raises awareness about cancer and funds for research and related program activities. Her team raised more than $4,500.

Katherine enjoys being a girl scout and volunteering within the community, as it provides her the opportunity to connect with local families. She helps to collect food and gifts for families in need during the holiday season, and works at local soup kitchens.

For the past two years, Katherine has volunteered for a week in one of the poorest counties in the United States, where she helped to build homes as part of a project throught he Stratford United Methodist Church. She describes it as not only her favorite activity, but also a "wonderful, life altering experience."

As a volunteer for C.L.A.S.P., Katherine helped children with their homework at Wooster Middle School. She also volunteers as a children's face painter at various community events.

Despite carrying a full academic, sport and volunteer schedule, Katherine has been a cashier at Cutspring Deli and is currently a receptionist at Howe Driving School in Stratford.

Key to Awesomeness: Katherine is inspired by her parents and her older sister, Melissa. She says that "everything [she] knows about morals, respect and life in general comes from the people who raised [her[. They taught [her] to focus on what is important in life, inspiring [her] to be a better person." Katherine tries to help others in whatever way she can; through volunteer work or being there for a friend.