Latest news with #LinkCrew
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Extra Effort: Senior Gabby Lane a key student volunteer at East Peoria
EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — She is a four-year varsity softball player and likely will set the school record for most games played in a career. But there's more to Gabby Lane than what fans see on a softball field. 'I find it a pleasure to be tired at the end of the day,' said Lane. 'When I go home and I'm not tired, I feel like I haven't done enough. Going home tired is very rewarding.' Lane is a go-getter as a two-sport athlete and as a student. The softball and volleyball player is also a Key Club member who helps with 'Egg My Yard,' a fundraising Easter egg hunt. She helps mentor freshmen through the Link Crew and is an east Peoria Young Life senior leader. Lane helped teammates gather clothing and hygiene donations in a school-wide 'Stuff-A-Bus' campaign. 'I love doing (activities) with my teammates. I find a lot of pleasure in doing that. Sports has brought us all together,' said lane. 'Doing things with them and then by myself makes me feel more involved.' Lane has been a three-year starter at shortstop but has played some first base and outfield this season. She moves around school with a smile, too. 'People say, 'Is she always that happy?' And 90 percent of the time she is,' said East Peoria softball coach Denee Menzione. 'Everybody knows Gabby, she's a great student. Teachers in the classroom love her and want more of her.' She knows she'll have great memories from her high school sports career but Lane says getting involved in non-sports activities has been equally as rewarding. 'Going out of my way to meet new people and find new experiences has been eye-opening,' said Lane. 'Being able to connect with them on the same level is very rewarding.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Golden Lion Award: Nina Nguyen
WEBB CITY, Mo. — There's a new winner of the Golden Lion Award, a brilliant student with a big heart for helping others. 'I'm a senior and I go to Webb City High School,' said Nina Nguyen, WCHS senior. In fact, senior Nina Nguyen is a lifelong Cardinal. This has developed into a hectic schedule of class time, homework, and extracurriculars. 'I'm really involved in show choir and theater and a little bit of speech and debate,' said Nguyen. And Nina likes to give back. She's a National Merit Finalist and likes to coach other students in math, English, and science. 'I was part of the Academic Help Center, during the study hall homeroom block, a group of the upperclassmen go and tutor for anyone who needs it,' said Nguyen. She's also helped out with the Webb City High School Link Crew. 'Link Crew or freshman orientation, where we show them around, take a tour of the school, and have ice breakers, kind of get them settled in to start high school,' said Nguyen. Nina has mentored younger students and volunteers her time to help out in summer school classes. And she especially likes to spend time on Carterville projects. 'For the Summer Fun Day, which is an event that the park committee does, and I used to be a student of Carterville Elementary, so that's kind of my home as well, even though we were only there for two years,' said Nguyen. More Golden Lion Award winners Webb City High School teacher Stacy Stockton says the best thing about Nina is that she's always willing to pitch in when there's a need. 'Had a concession stand. She was the only student who showed up to work the concession stand. And instead of complaining, she did double the work that the other kids should have been helping with. It's remarkable to have a student who just will volunteer for whatever needs to be done,' said Stacy Stockton, WCHS teacher. Nina is already working toward her May graduation, getting ready for the transition to higher ed. 'I plan to attend Missouri, Southern State University for secondary mathematics education,' said Nguyen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
