2005 Trailblazers Winners

CENTURY 21 Advantage and The TowneLaker are proud to announce the winners of the 2005 Trailblazer Awards. These awards are presented to a graduating senior at each of the local high schools who most exemplified the qualities of Leadership, Scholarship and Community Service. Nominated by the Senior Counselors at the high schools, the students were asked to complete and submit applications. Our Community Advisory Board then selected the winners. Below are the Trailblazer winners from Etowah High School, Jennifer Nash, and from Woodstock High School, Grace Lam. Congratulations to Jennifer and Grace! We can't wait to see what your futures hold!

Etowah High School

Jennifer Nash

Woodstock High School

Grace Lam

Jennifer had a very successful academic career in high school. She participated in all honors or advanced placement level classes throughout high school. She was on the Academic Honor Roll all four years. In her junior year, Jennifer received the Outstanding Student Award in Literature, Spanish, Psychology and Sociology.

Jennifer also had several leadership roles while attending Etowah. She was a youth group leader at her church and a First Priority Club leader. She served as the Chaplain for Etowah's Y-Club and a Disciple Now leader. Jennifer plans on attending UGA in the fall to study early childhood education and child psychology. She also would like to become fluent in Spanish. She plans on becoming involved in several Christian and community service clubs as well.

Jennifer has been involved in her community throughout her high school years. She has volunteered her time for MUST Ministries and Meals on Wheels. She also has worked with the Challenger Baseball program. Through her involvement with Etowah's Y-Club, she has visited several retirement homes. She has tutored students at Chapman Intermediate School in conjunction with Etowah's FEA club. Through the Beta Club, Jennifer has assisted at Oak Grove Elementary's fall festivals and Etowah campus clean up days. She also has volunteered her time for Habitat for Humanity as well as several church projects.

Jennifer feels the biggest issues facing high school students today are self image and drug abuse. "The two problems feed on each other causing a detrimental life cycle to many teenagers," she said. If Jennifer could change one thing about high school it would be to eliminate drug, alcohol and tobacco use. She believes those three things are responsible for every level of deterioration at Etowah.

Jennifer is proud of the high standards she has maintained for herself throughout high school, academically and morally. She's proud to have met the goals she established for herself in her classes, clubs and church. She's proud of the well-rounded person she has become.

In 2015, Jennifer's graduating class will celebrate its 10-year reunion. When Jennifer was asked how she saw her life in ten years, she said, "I will have attended UGA graduating with a double major in early childhood education and child psychology. I am working as a Kindergarten teacher at a local elementary school. I have been married for three years and have a beautiful baby boy. I've written two books, one for children and one religiously based, along with several psychology articles. I look forward to seeing old friends and and catching up on old times!"

Grace Lam has achieved numerous academic awards during her years at Woodstock. She has received the Excellence in Mathematics Achievement award in 2002, 2003 and 2004. She was selected to Georgia's 2004 Governor's Honors Program. She is a National Merit and Advanced Placement Scholar as well as WHS STAR Student. She is a Robert C. Byrd Nominee, and she has received a National BETA Club Senior Scholarship.

Grace also has held numerous leadership positions while attending WHS. She participated in the 2002 Cherokee County Teen Leadership. She has served as the Varsity Captain of the 2004 1 2005 WHS Academic Team and the Vice President of the 2004 1 2005 WHS Math Team. She was the BETA Club Treasurer in 2003 1 2004 and its President for the 2004 1 2005 school year.

Outside of school, Grace has been very active in the community. She has been a Woodstock Activist Volunteer for four years, which allowed her to work with MUST Ministries and the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. She also has volunteered with the Equine Therapy Organization. Through her involvement in the Beta Club, she has worked with the Woodstock Elves Club, Adopt-A-Mile and other projects. Upon graduation, Grace plans on attending the University of Southern California, majoring in Chinese and French. She would eventually like to become a physician. "I have always been interested in the medical field, and recent experiences with illness in my own family has strengthened that desire," Grace said.

Grace feels one of the biggest issues facing high school students today is the lack of global awareness from students. "With today's technology, geographical boundaries are obsolete, and nations are intricately connected. This complex society demands globally aware citizens, yet much of the nation's youth are absorbed in their own small sphere of consciousness, unconcerned with events beyond their daily life," she commented. If she could change anything about high school it would be to redirect the school's emphasis on standardized testing. "Teachers have been pressured to improve scores but at the expense of quality explorations," Grace said. "As a result, teachers are emphasizing preparation for such exams but neglecting important instruction not evaluated on the tests," she continued.

When asked what fills her with pride, she recalls her first experiences with the WHS Academic Team. "I remember how I would struggle to concentrate on questions that seemed completely beyond my knowledge. I had to try and muster the courage to buzz in and utter a response. I have gradually become a better player and eventually I was able to win the County Academic Tournament this year along with my teammates."

When asked how she saw her life in 10 years, she said, "I attended the University of Southern California as a Trustee Scholar. I majored in Chinese and French, graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. I then went to medical school, and after completion, I embarked on an amazing experience with Doctors Without Borders, where I have been for the past two years. I hope to begin my medical career working at a local hospital."