Faith guides determined Evans teen
Mary Green is grounded in her faith. The Evans High School freshman is a firm believer in God and the fruits of the spirit.
"God first, others next and then yourself," said the 14-year-old daughter of Donnie and Charlyn Green of Martinez. Mary makes a lasting impression on many people she meets, such as former Lakeside Middle School clerical aide Kay Baugh.
"Mary is an unbelievable young lady," Baugh said. "I met her when she was a sixth-grader and she asked how she could be my 'helper' for the next year.
"For the past two years, Mary faithfully came in every morning and at lunch - after eating, of course - to help me run copies in the production room. Her eighth-grade teachers were thrilled to find her name on their rosters, as her reputation was well-known at Lakeside Middle."
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"When my teachers needed something taken to the production room, I'd take it down there," said Green, who also volunteered in the school library. "When I found Ms. Baugh going crazy because she had so much to run, I stayed to help."
Mary Green, 14, a cheerleader at Evans High School, also is active in youth programs at Abilene Baptist Church.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Paul Perkins, a minister to youth at Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez, where Mary is a member, calls her "very dedicated and committed. She's one of those people who steps up to the plate."
An avid athlete, Mary recently earned a spot on the Evans High School cheerleading squad.
"Going into trying out for the cheerleading team, I had the mindset that a lot of people have," said Mary, an A student. "But I met some wonderful girls. It's really sad to see how people stereotype you."
Perkins says Mary's faith keeps her grounded. "As long as I've known Mary, she's been the kind of person who isn't afraid to lead," he said. "She's a born leader. She's always willing to serve and her faith is really her strong home life."
Mary recently returned from Tennessee, where she participated in a mission trip ministering to young children through backyard Bible clubs. Last year, Mary led Winning Lakeside for Jesus, a student-organized Bible-study group at Lakeside Middle School.
"Sometimes you feel like you are the only Christian in school," said Mary, who prepared and presented Bible studies to 30-50 participants each week. "That was a lot of fun, being able to worship God freely in school. It's great encouragement to know you aren't alone. But, in the end, it doesn't really matter what other people think. The only thing that matters is what God would think."
Mary is likely to join the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an international, Christian-based sports organization, at Evans High this year.
"She is just incredible," Baugh said. "She's become not just a very good student, but a friend to me. She's a wonderful young lady and she has all the confidence in the world."