Emily Stephenson

Is there a connection between how involved high school students are in activities and how happy they are? If this week’s United Dairymen of Idaho Distinguished Student award winner is any indication, the answer is a resounding yes. Madison High School senior Emily Stephenson gets the award.

Emily has been dancing since she was three years old and loves it.

“Initially, my mom put me in dance classes because I had so much energy, she wanted to channel it somehow, but I began to develop a real passion for it,” Emily said. “I feel like its an effective way to express my personality and to channel emotions.”

Emily is involved in a lot more than just dance in her life.

“Oh my goodness, I am very busy,” Emily said. “I dance. I’m really heavy into my academics, so I do a lot of homework, a lot of reading, and last year I was junior class president.”

Emily enjoys everything she’s involved in, but has to balance her time according to priorities. She also finds time to serve – she’s very involved in a project with family and friends to collect school supplies for needy children in Africa.

“I really enjoy helping them, so this past summer I went to the junior high, which was moving buildings, and I got all of their old textbooks that they were just going to throw away, and I helped donate it to that organization because I feel that everyone should have an opportunity to be educated,” Emily said.

With all she has going on in her life Emily still maintains perfect grades. She plans on going to law school. But for now she’s enjoying being a senior and has this advice for kids coming into high school.

“The most fun you’ll have is when you’re just being yourself and doing what you love, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the same talents as someone else, or if you’re a little bit quirky, that’s what makes the best people,” said Emily. “So just be yourself.”