Whitney Redd is a rare student.
Not just because the Paducah Tilghman High School senior has a 3.8 grade-point average, and is president of the school's student council.
Nor is it just due to faculty and staff naming her Miss Tilghman this year, an honor bestowed to the student who best represents the school and its values.
Redd's unique quality is being one of those students we all hear about, and always wonder how they do it.
The 17-year-old quick with a smile is a student with perfect attendance since kindergarten.
"I've had it all the way through to now," Redd said. "I've been lucky."
Redd's abilities, and her luck, helped make her Teen of the Week.
Redd, daughter of Rodney and Amanda Anderson, is the Murray State University Teen of the Week. Each Monday, the Sun features a different MSU Teen of the Week selected from nominees submitted by high school guidance counselors throughout western Kentucky and southern Illinois. In May, a Teen of the Year will be chosen from the weekly winners, earning a $5,000 scholarship to Murray State. Teen of the Week is part of the Sun's Newspapers in Education program.
Teachers said she goes all out for opportunities that come her way, especially those involving business.
She's the co-business manager for the school newspaper "The Tilghman Bell," whose faculty sponsor, Susan Hancock, notices Redd's work ethic.
"She has taken the responsibility for all business matters such as billing advertisers and organizing payment records," Hancock said. "She has taken the lead in this position and gone above the usual student management in this area."
Redd landed internships with the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and with Lourdes hospital this summer in the Rising Star Summer Program.
"I didn't realize that there were other parts other than just being doctors and nurses," Redd said about the hospital internship. "You have people that work behind the scenes in human resources and stuff that lay the foundation for the hospital."
Kimberly Holt, Redd's English teacher, said it's her balance of work and community involvement that helps Redd stand out. Holt said it's why Redd is accomplished enough to be president of the Future Business Leaders of America club and still well liked enough to be part of the homecoming court this year.
"Whitney is well received and highly respected by her peers," Holt said. "She's a trustworthy lady with a bright future."
Contact Adam Shull, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8653.
