Daily Herald Leadership team member Laura Szejka

Editor's note: This article originally appeared on Jan. 3, 2007, when Laura Szejka was a member of the Daily Herald Leadership team.

Laura Szejka

School: Buffalo Grove High School

Hometown: Arlington Heights

Class: Senior

Parents: Michael and Caryn Szejka

Sponsor: Mark Schaetzlein, assistant principal of activities

Volunteer/community service work: Church choir; student mentor; American Cancer Society's Relay For Life team co-captain; food drive participant; bought Christmas gifts for needy children; Class Board; helped in fundraiser to raise cash for fellow student injured in a car crash.

Laura Szejka is an athlete, a scholar and performer, logging time in myriad sports, clinching a perfect score on the ACT and singing in the school's award-winning show choir.

She's also a giver.

The high school senior sings in her church's choir, helps with the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, collects cans in food drives, has helped coordinate a workshop for 240 teen athletes and has bought Christmas gifts for needy kids.

Her efforts got her noticed; as a sophomore, she was chosen for the J. Kyle Braid Leadership award - earning her a weeklong trip to Colorado to hone her leadership skills. These days, she's in the process of creating a community outreach program so student athletes can give back to local charities.

"Putting others first is a clear affirmation that what she does in life is for the betterment of others," writes Assistant Principal Mark Schaetzlein in his nomination letter. "I am constantly amazed and routinely inspired to work with" her.

Szejka, for her part, says she gets so much more out of volunteering than she really gives. And she says she garners the most gratification from volunteer projects (like singing in church) that allow her to share her talents - including her gift of music.

At this point, she notes, not helping out seems selfish.

"When I see the considerable difference small actions can make," she writes, "I realize that anyone can better a life."

- Erin Holmes