Student excels in many areas
Katie Humphrey is just 10 years old, but she already has her sights set on being a kindergarten teacher.
Katie Humphrey, a fifth-grader at Blue Ridge Elementary School, excels both in academics and in her conduct.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"I want to be a radiologist because of the money involved," she said, "but more than that I'd like to be a teacher - a kindergarten teacher - because I'd like to influence the lives of young children."
If she's lucky, she'll get students like herself, those who know her say.
"Katie stands out because she is always willing to go above and beyond the requirements expected of her," said Blue Ridge Elementary teacher Gail Reed, who oversees Katie as president of the fifth-grade 4-H class. "She is dependable, responsible and has a very good relationship with all of her classmates. She has a pleasant and helpful way of getting others to fulfill their responsibilities so that work in all areas is accomplished. She is a pleasure to teach."
Julie Childress, the school's safety patrol sponsor, said it was the recommendation from Katie's fourth-grade teachers that made her select Katie as captain of the safety patrol.
"Katie was highly recommended by her fourth-grade teachers for both academic excellence and outstanding behavior at school," Childress said. "She's done a terrific job so far. It's not easy to supervise one's peers."
Whether it's playing the piano, playing softball or keeping up academically, Katie does everything with ease. She's in her second year of taking piano lessons and played pitcher, first base and shortstop for the Columbia County Recreation Department's Stingers softball team. It was her third year playing softball.
Additionally, she said she takes school seriously.
"I love social studies because I like to do history," said the daughter of John Humphrey, of Columbia, S.C., and Kim Humphrey, of Martinez. "I love spelling. I just love to spell things. I'm a whiz at spelling."
Katie also has mastered one other thing: the pogo stick. She boasts a million consecutive jumps.
"I've actually done up to a million jumps on my pogo stick," she said. "It took an hour or two, but I did it. I can also jump with no hands."
Photo by Jim Blaylock