Community Christian Academy senior Abbey Adler keeps both sides of her brain involved.

Adler has been a steadfast member of Market House Theater casts since she was about eight years old. She's not intimidated by the musical side either. After playing piano, Adler picked up violin. She also plays clarinet. Though some may expect her to spend her time in college in the fine arts building practicing, Adler hopes to spend it hitting the books for a pre-med major.

Adler, the younger of two children, was home-schooled until her freshman year of high school, when she came to CCA. She said the transition was odd at first, but the additional help in language arts and literature was welcome. Her mother is a physical therapist, and she took time to emphasize the importance of math and science on her daughter. They are still her favorites, but Adler hasn't limited herself in any one area of expertise.

A member of CCA's math honors society has also been recognized in physics. This year, she said, has been her favorite so far as she learns more about the body in anatomy and physiology.

Abbey Adler, daughter of Greg and Yvonne Adler, is the Mid-Continent University Teen of the Week. Each Monday, the Sun features a different MCU Teen of the Week selected from nominees that high school 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 and will receive a full four-year scholarship to Mid-Continent University, currently valued at up to $55,000, or a cash reward of $2,500 paid through the Paducah Sun if the student selects another college to attend.

She doesn't get to volunteer as much as she had in the past with the hubbub of senior year, but Adler frequented local nursing homes with a special friend. When Adler visits residents, she brings her 4-year-old miniature schnauzer, Molly.

"It makes their day," Adler said. "If they've had dogs, they can't have them there, it makes them happier."

She's also involved in swimming. Though she said she lacks the hand-eye coordination for sports like basketball, Adler was on the Paducah swim team for a few years. A torn rotator cuff has kept her out of competitive swimming for a while, but Adler said she hopes to join the rowing team when she attends Murray State University in the fall.

She's already received her acceptance letter and said now she can relax and focus on her senior year.