CLINTON, Ky. — What Brooke Yates does when few are looking makes her a special leader at Hickman County High School.
Such as when the senior spent most of her time off from school during last year’s ice storm volunteering.
While going 19 days without power at home, Yates helped distribute bottled water and food to locals through the United Methodist Church.
Yates also became a temporary fry cook at a friend’s service station when it was one of the only places around with electricity.
“I knew how to work a Fry Daddy (electric deep fryer) from home,” Yates said. “That was about the extent of that.”
When she applies the same initiative to being a student council president and a six-year softball pitcher, all while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average, it helps her land Teen of the Week honors.
Yates, daughter of Cinda and the late Jerry Yates, 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.
“Classmates respond well to her leadership,” said Amy Boaz, school guidance counselor.
“Her enthusiastic demeanor as well as her respectful attitude makes her a pleasure to be around.”
That’s helped Yates remain so accomplished (Beta Club vice president, yearbook editor, a four-time all-district team member for softball) and still well liked (her class gave her three senior superlatives: “Best All Around,” “Future Money Maker” and “Most Beautiful”).
Yates’ willingness to step out of her comfort zone is a strength as well, Boaz said.
Yates participated in the school’s drama club and debate team as well as Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and Future Business Leaders of America.
When she stepped away from a starting point guard position on the school’s basketball team to focus on softball, Yates continued with experiences in the science club and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America). That Yates maintained the highest grade-point average in the toughest classes while being so heavily involved shows her academic mettle, Boaz said.
“This accomplishment is evidence of both her ability as well as her dedication to her education,” Boaz said. “She will be an asset to any academic institution.”
Yates hopes to be an asset at Murray State University next fall, where she plans to study nursing.
Contact Adam Shull, a Paducah Sun staff writer, at 270-575-8653.
