Editor’s note: The Future Leaders of America series profiles high school seniors who display leadership qualities in their school and the community. The series is brought to you by Pridemark Construction.
By Stacey A. Shannon—
MUNCIE, IN—With volleyball, work, various clubs and schoolwork, Wes-Del High School senior Amelia Hudson-Roberts stays busy.
Hudson-Roberts has been on her school’s volleyball team since her freshman year and is a captain of the team this year. She’s also played club volleyball at Munciana for the past three.
But, volleyball isn’t all Hudson-Roberts enjoys. She is also a member of the Spanish Club, Family Career Community Leaders of America, the athletic leadership club and the Future Business Leaders of America.
“Wes-Del is a smaller community where everybody knows everybody,” Hudson-Roberts said. “We all know a little more about each other than other schools. So, it’s really important to be involved because you want to be a part of what’s going on in people’s lives and you want to make sure you’re leaving a good impression.”
She’s not only making a good impression on her peers but also on leaders throughout the state. Last spring, she participated in a star event through FCCLA where she presented a topic in front of a panel of judges about public policy advocacy at the state level.
“I chose to advocate for snacks to be given out during standardized testing,” she said.
And not only did she talk about it, Hudson-Roberts put it into action by collecting donations and providing snacks for students during SAT and ILEARN testing. The panel of judges was so impressed with Hudson-Roberts and her presentation that she was selected to go to nationals.
“It was my first time going to state,” she said. “Being picked across everybody in the state was exciting.”
To remain successful in all of her activities, Hudson-Roberts has learned the importance of community. She said she gets to spend time with people she enjoys, from her classmates to her peers at work at the Barking Cow in Gaston. Having a supportive community has helped Hudson-Roberts thrive in high school.
She also has learned the importance of prioritizing.
“I’ve found it really important that it’s OK to say no to people and understanding that if I need time to work on an assignment or if I need time to hang out with my friends then it’s OK to put other things to the side,” she said. “It’s OK to take a moment for yourself.”
That skill will serve her well as she plans to head south for college to Tennessee or another southern state to study kinesiology, sports medicine or physical therapy. Ultimately, she’d like to become a personal or athletic trainer.
As she looks back over her past three years of high school and into the current school year as a senior, Hudson-Roberts has advice to pass along to the students coming behind her.
“It does go by really fast. It’s OK to take time for yourself. It’s OK to take a moment and just breathe and sit down,” she said. “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself all at once.”
421 S Walnut St #2459, Muncie, IN 47305
Phone: (765) 284-3833
https://www.pridemarkconstruction.com
