Eighteen-year-old Bellarmine student Elizabeth Claire is one busy young woman â?? she works for Habitat for Humanity, has created her own charity, is a full-time student, holds a job and writes for several magazines in the area. Sheâ??s also the winner of a Prudential Spirit of Community award and was one of 250 high school seniors nationwide to be awarded a Coca-Cola Scholars award. The nonprofit organization that she founded, Reading Begins, provides home libraries to families all across the state.

TW: How did you feel about winning the Prudential Spirit of Community award?

EC: The award is a wonderful recognition of service throughout the nation and itâ??s really an honor to be recognized. Working with Habitat for Humanity and my program Under the Roof Reading Begins, which is a literacy program that I really started side-by-side while I worked with Habitat for Humanity. In Habitat, weâ??ve done everything from sheetrock to landscaping to indoor and outdoor painting and really getting to know (the) families.

TW: Who are your role models?

EC: My parents, because theyâ??ve encouraged me so much. They truly stand for what they believe in and they encourage action and if you see something that you believe in, if you see something that should be changed, that there is an opportunity for you to make a difference.

TW: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

EC: This fall, Iâ??ll be attending Stanford (University). At this point, I see myself studying both Communication and International Studies, with a pre-law emphasis. I see myself continuing learning for the rest of my life, but that takes shape in many different forms. I would love to, after attending law school, work in a firm, whether itâ??s a law firm or a financial firm in the communications or law department. I see myself working and writing as editor of a magazine because I love that business, I love writing, and I love editing.

TW: What do you do in your free time?

EC: Iâ??m on the varsity golf team here (at Bellarmine). I donâ??t have a lot of free time. I work a lot. In addition to AP and honors classes, golf, Reading Begins and Habitat, I also write for five magazines throughout the Pacific Northwest.

TW: What are you going to do this summer?

EC: Fortunately, Stanford doesnâ??t start until the middle of Septemberâ?¦ I have an internship set up at this point, down in the Bay Area. That will probably be a month and a half of work. Iâ??m looking forward to that a great deal. Habitat, of course, is year-round, so Iâ??m looking forward to being able to work on one.

TW: Where do you get your drive?

EC: The desire to do more, and to achieve more. The knowledge that I can be better tomorrow than I am today â?? that I can do more tomorrow than I currently do.

TW: Who is the teacher who influenced you the most?

EC: There are two: Martha Parent and Jenny Phillips. They believe in what theyâ??re teaching so much, and they are so inspiring. Both have the ability to teach to so many different students in completely different ways. They may be in a class of 25 to 30 students, but they can talk directly to the individual student. I admire that so much.

TW: What are you going to miss about Bellarmine?

EC: The fact that Bellarmine promotes the entire student, not just the individual academic, not just the individual athlete â?¦ but encourages the entire student, from the classes that are offered, from the athletics that are offered, from the community service, from the religious aspect (and) from the teachers who truly want the best for the individual student. Bellarmine has done so much to allow individual students to grow to their fullest potential.

TW: What would you say to students that donâ??t think that they can get involved?

EC: If you see a need anywhere â?¦ if you truly believe in something, you can make a difference. Follow your dreams, follow your hopes, and you can make a difference in whatever field you choose.