Sarah Gothard, a 17-year-old senior at Montevallo High School, is Shelby County Reporter Student of the Week.

Judy Simmons, principal at MHS selected her.

&8220;Sarah Gothard is a delightful young lady and very deserving of this special recognition,&8221; Simmons said. &8220;She is a very conscientious and diligent student who voluntarily chooses the more difficult coursework.

&8220;In addition to academics, she has been actively involved in all facets of extracurricular activities throughout her high school years.

She is well liked and respected by her peers as well as all the faculty and staff at Montevallo High School. With her excellent interpersonal skills and well-developed work ethic, Sarah will be very successful in her future endeavors.&8221;

Sarah is the daughter of David and Jody Gothard and the granddaughter of Lynn Gothard and Bert and Shirley Pearce. She has one sister, Katie Gothard, 20, who is a junior at the University of Alabama.

Her favorite subject in school is history. &8220;It’s always fascinated me. I always enjoy learning about what happened in our country,&8221; Sarah said. &8220;I’m very interested in the early 1900s and the wars.&8221;

She said her favorite teacher is Jennifer Turner, who taught her 11th grade history and who sponsors the school newspaper.

&8220;She was always very personal with me. We were more friends. I could always go to her and can still go today to talk about any problems that I have.&8221;

Sarah has been a manager of the football team since she was in the 10th grade. Her sister was manager during her junior and senior years.

Sarah is vice president of the Student Council and a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. She is also captain of the her school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization and at 5-foot-9-inches, plays center for the MHS girls basketball team.

With a 3.95 grade point average, Sarah is also one of three editors for the school newspaper, the Spotlight.

Away from school, Sarah said she enjoys mission work at her church, especially traveling on mission trips. She is also active with the Montevallo First United Church Youth Fellowship.

Sarah said her favorite superhero is her best friend, Corbin (Walker).

&8220;I have a lot of respect for her because she is very laid back and goes with the flow, but also very caring … She always makes my day better.&8221;

Sarah said she plans to attend Troy University to study early childhood education. &8220;I would love to be a first or second grade teacher. A teacher has one of the biggest effects on a child’s life. I love to see a kid get so excited because of something they learned, and knowing you taught them … I want to experience that.&8221;