Amelia Cronk: A natural leader
If visitors step inside the St. Ignatius High School commons, they’ll likely see a variety of pictures on the wall showcasing members of sports and clubs for the current school year. Among those faces, that of Amelia Cronk pops up more than a few times.
Amelia is a standout senior at St. Ignatius High School who is involved in everything from volleyball, basketball and softball to mentorship programs like LINK, and even student organizations such as the Trading Card Club and National Honor Society. She’s earned Academic All-State in three sports, plus class awards in U.S. History and Chemistry, and superior ratings at the Regional Math Contest and the State Music Festival.
She also volunteers at wrestling tournaments, youth softball and basketball camps and for the school clean-up crew. Amelia truly does it all.
“I’m a very social person,” said Ameila when commenting on her many interests and variety of volunteer work. “My entire life I've been very involved in the community.”
Not only does Amelia participate, she excels. The senior has a 4.0 grade point average to go along with a laundry list of awards and accolades.
“I would be hard pressed to name another student who is as dedicated, as energetic, and as focused on success as Amelia is,” said teacher Lukas B Lorentz.
The St. Ignatius Senior is the most recent recipient of the Winslow Nichols Leadership Award from Logan Health. With this comes $250 to donate to any school organization of Amelia’s choosing.
Amelia choose to give her $250 to the Special Olympics program at her school. “Special Olympics doesn’t get the recognition other sports get and they definitely don’t get the funds that other sports get,” she said. “I thought that was just the most meaningful place it could go."
In nominating Amelia for the award, Lorentz described her as “a natural leader, someone who organically comes into positions of leadership and someone who people organically follow.”
“I feel like I'm a very approachable person and easy to talk to,” said Amelia when speculating on why people might gravitate to her as a leader.
She also seems to perceive leadership as secondary to service. “People tell you to give back to your community – I think that's very important,” she said, noting that her family, many of whom have been educators and coaches, are great examples.
Even as Ameila looks to the future, which the catcher hopes will include a successful softball season, she also looks for ways to keep serving.
“Serving people and others is for me what would make my life very meaningful,” she said. That may include pursuing a degree at Carroll College in psychology.
Amelia knows that positive, successful students can inspire younger students and hopes to spread the message to her peers: “You can do this too if you work hard.”
As she nears graduation and college, she says the legacy she wants to leave on her school and community is not about the accolades and awards.
“I just want to be known as a positive person, who is just kind and who treated people with respect.”
To nominate a student for the leadership award, head to www.logan.org/about/the-winslow-nichols-leadership-award/.
Amelia Cronk stands in front of the Mission "M" with her award from Logan Health. (Kaleb Unger/Leader)