LAUREL BLACK | The Sun
Lydia McManus, 17, of Mayfield, stands in the hallway of St. Mary High School. McManus is devoted to community service and says her favorite organizations are Lighthouse, in Mayfield, and Paducah Cooperative Ministries.
Lydia McManus, Teen of the Week
The 17-year-old St. Mary High School senior plans to major in biology at University of Kentucky, with the aim of starting her own dental practice. McManus is particularly interested in bringing pediatric dental care to poor countries overseas.
It wouldn't be McManus' first time working with the less fortunate. She received the 2012 Presidential Silver Volunteer Award for completion of 220 volunteer hours over the course of the past year. "(Volunteering) is a very big part of who I am," she said.
Although McManus pitches in at many agencies, she says her favorites are Lighthouse, a shelter for women and children in Mayfield, and Paducah Cooperative Ministries. McManus lives in Mayfield.
Lydia McManus, daughter of Mickey and Sandy McManus, is the Mid-Continent University Teen of the Week. Every Monday, the Sun features a different MCU Teen of the Week selected from nominees who guidance counselors throughout western Kentucky and southern Illinois submit to the Sun. Mid-Continent University will provide each Teen of the Week with a $2,500 annual scholarship to its university, which is renewable for four years. In the spring, a Teen of the Year will be chosen from the weekly winners. The Teen of the Year is eligible for a full four-year scholarship to Mid-Continent University or a cash award of $2,500, paid through the Paducah Sun, if the student selects another college to attend.
McManus may be service oriented, but she also has a competitive side. "My favorite subject is probably math because there's always an answer and you can always be right," she said. As a straight-A student and Governor's Scholar, McManus is certainly giving the competition a run for its money.
McManus' drive to win comes out on the basketball court, as well. She says the sport has taught her how to work as a team member and break through physical and mental barriers. "It's really helped, and I wouldn't trade my team for anything," she said.
Call Laurel Black, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 575-8641.
