While high school recognition often pays tribute to academic and athletic success, remarkable personal achievement, leadership and individuality may go unnoticed.

However, The Feather would like to acknowledge those who dedicate their time and energy to improving the school community and to fostering student involvement.

For this reason, the editors have chosen to honor senior Cassidy Hutchins as our third FC Student of the Year.

As a three-season athlete, a high-achieving learner and a spirited participant in nearly every school activity, Hutchins epitomizes the well-rounded, passionate student. Her consistent involvement and unfailing effort (as well as her characteristic laugh) set her apart from other members of the Class of 2011, and we are pleased to recognize her with this distinction.

In sports, Hutchins has risen to leadership positions and has earned recognition, (all-league honors in soccer, track and volleyball), for her athletic aptitude. She started playing on the varsity volleyball team as a sophomore, on the varsity soccer and softball teams as a freshman, and ran varsity track commencing her sophomore year. And she served as a captain three years in soccer.

But her athletic career has not been without hardship. Hutchins broke her right ankle in two places, later dealing with sprains and torn ligaments, and broke, sprained and pulled her left ankle three times. She could often be seen hobbling along the halls with crutches, and she probably spent more time riding the elevator in Building 6 than anyone else on campus.

Although these injuries cut short some of her sports seasons and hindered her from exercising her full potential — not to mention that they brought considerable pain — Hutchins repeatedly recovered and got back on the court or in the field. Her perseverance, to be sure, is singularly commendable.

However, her dedication to athletics has not come at the expense of academics; Hutchins is graduating with a 4.21 GPA. Over the course of her high school career, she has taken four of the five Advanced Placement courses offered on campus, including AP Calculus AB as a junior. And she has qualified as a member of the California Scholarship Federation every semester, earning her the distinction of Life Membership with Highest Honors.

As a result of her academic performance, Hutchins is ranked near the top of her class. She has earned admission to the University of California, Irvine, where she will be majoring in Biological Sciences in preparation for a career as a physical therapist. She hopes to help athletes work through their injuries, drawing on her personal experience to benefit others facing similar obstacles.

Outside of the classroom, the court, and the field, Hutchins has distinguished herself in school events and activities. Few seem able to rival her spirit, which she has demonstrated by donning jingling bells and an elf costume for Spirit Week and by wearing a sombrero for Cindo de Mayo. If there were ever a dress-up day or other event, one could bet with confidence that Cassidy would be wearing the right outfit, bearing a sign of support, or both.

At the graduation ceremony on May 26, Hutchins may not receive as many awards as other seniors. But she has left a profound impact on the school, contributing to its well-being and to the well-being of her class. She is the Student of the Year.

To learn about last year’s honoree, read the May 21, 2010 editorial, Student of the Year: Da Eun Sunwoo.

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