JAY – Kristen Uhuad is a leader. She believes she has the determination to help people and go far in life. She wants to help people by becoming a doctor.

The 15-year-old Jay High School sophomore has earned recognization as a leader, both by the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program and by state legislators. Uhuad, the daughter of Cheryl and Gene Uhuad of Jay, received a standing ovation at a School Committee meeting when she was recently presented with a Legislative sentiment.

The “baby” of the family, by just one minute, was among sophomores writing leadership essays for their English teacher. Hers, on “The Leaders in You and Me,” was chosen.

She based her essay on the idea that everyone in the whole society could be a leader.

“Nowadays, people believe leaders carry qualities of having power, confidence and wealth,” Uhuad said. “But when you really boil down to it, everyone is a leader in their own certain way, regardless of your standard of living.”

A leader is someone who is is there to help, pretty much regardless of where they come from, she said.

Anyone can be a leader “as long as you have determination to be a leader and are willing to help,” Uhuad said.

Uhuad said she is a leader.

“I have that determination to help people and go far with life,” she said. “I always wanted, ever since I was little, to help people. I wanted to be a doctor and ’til this day, I still do.”

Her goal to be a doctor goes way back, she said. Her mother used to tell her and her twin, Ashley, that sometime they would have to take of their parents.

“My mother is a big influence,” she said. “She would say, ‘You and your sister are going to be rich and take care of me and your father.'”

Their mother telling the twins they would be doctors is an inside family joke, but it hasn’t stopped the girls. Kristen said she loves math and science. She is on the Math Team and the Environthon Team.

“Me and Ashley, our goal for the future is to become doctors and open our own business together,” Uhuad said. “I’m excited.”

She’s not sure what field she’s going into but is considering general family practice.

The all-scholastic scholar participates in field hockey, skiing and track, and keeps her grades up.

“Being an all-scholastic scholar is hard work to meet everything… I think it’s all worthwhile in the end,” she said.

Uhuad will go in late spring to Orono and meet up with other sophomores elected to attend a leadership conference.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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