Greg Mortenson

This week’s scholar-athlete is a Brooklyn student who knew little about volleyball at first, but quickly rose to the top of her game. NY1′s Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.

Katherine Peña of Bushwick, Brooklyn knows how to serve up success both on and off the volleyball court. She says the key to managing it all is staying focused.

“I may get distracted, but I remind myself what I’m here for and what my main goal is and that’s reaching my goals and getting a good education,” says Peña.

The senior at the EBC High School for Public Service is in the top five percent of her class, captain of the varsity volleyball team and participates in a number of extracurricular activities, but holds education close to her heart.

“I’m very driven when it comes to school. I think going to school is a pleasure for me. I’d rather learn for the love of learning. I think knowledge is key to everything,” says Peña.

“Katharine has got to be one of the most enthusiastic students I have ever had the privilege of teaching,” says teacher Edward Mason. “I had her for four years, and every day she walked into the classroom and was excited to be there, she would lead class discussions on a regular basis and was truly a delight.”

When she was a freshman, Peña says she knew very little about volleyball. She says she tried out for the team on a whim, and scored big.

Peña credits volleyball for shaping her into the woman she has become.

“It made me a more social being, someone who is more friendly and people-oriented,” says Peña. “It helped me not to be so shy and speak out in a crowd. Being on the team helps me with team building. You have to interact with other girls and build each other up and courage each other.”

Coaches and teammates marvel at Peña’s success and leadership skills.

“She never complains, never misses a practice or a game. Her hard work is really what the girls respect,” says coach Keith Santos.

“Whenever she can she gives us tips. Even on weekends, we can practice for fun, for the love of the games, and that’s what she taught us, and that’s what it’s all about,” says teammate Amanda Ramos. “It’s not about winning or losing but the love of the game.”

Peña even finds time to give back to her community in Brooklyn and beyond.

“We collect pennies and kinds of money that goes to the Pennies for Peace foundation and funds schools and build schools and gets supplies for proper learning in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” says Peña.

Peña hopes to attend Vassar College in the fall and pursue a degree in science.

So, for her ability to serve the volleyball and her community, Katherine Peña is our Healthplus/NY1 Scholar Athlete of the week.

The Health Plus/NY1 Scholar Athlete program celebrates student athletes who successfully combine academics with athletics, and also find time for community service. The program, operated in conjunction with the New York City Department of Education, is open to any senior attending a New York City public high school.

Each week of the school year, a selected student is profiled on NY1 and receives a $2,000 scholarship to the school they choose to attend in the fall.

To apply, download and print out the official Scholar Athlete application, then mail it to the address on the form.

© NY1 2009

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