If Amanda Mortus wrote a poem about her interests and achievements, there would be images ranging from academics to the violin, voter registration and golf.

The 17-year-old senior at Thornton High School carries a 4.05 grade-point average in the International Baccalaureate program, is a member of National Honor Society, writes poetry, plays the violin in the school orchestra and earned two varsity letters in golf.

Her favorite course at Thornton has been psychology.

"I love learning about how people interact, why they do the things they do," she said.

One of her IB courses led to her varsity sport. "I took golf lessons for a personal project through IB. You pick a topic and explore it. Mine was learning to play golf.

"It was really frustrating for me. I'm the kind of person who likes to pick something up right away, and golf isn't like that," said Mortus, who earned her letters as a junior and senior.

She represented Thornton at the Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Seminar as a sophomore and was chosen to return as a junior staff member the following year.

Through the HOBY program she learned about Freedom's Answer, which enlists high school students to participate in voter-registration drives.

"It was started in Chicago by five youths after 9-11. I brought it back to my school and set up a chapter. I want to help get awareness raised that we can make a difference if we stand up and vote," she said.

She served as a student election judge during the 2004 election, working as a greeter, handing out ballots and making sure ballots were placed in the proper box. "It's pretty amazing that you can go in there, take part in it and know your ballot is going to be counted," she said.

She has been a member of National Honor Society for two years and was elected junior secretary, helping organize a school blood drive and toy drives for Christmas presents for Children's Hospital.

A published poet, she writes two or three poems a week.

"Some people journal and diary; I write poetry. When I have a bad day I can let everything out," she said.

She has studied violin for seven years and plays in her school's symphonic orchestra.

"Right now we're focusing on Mozart. We had a Bach concert in October. We look at different techniques, look into the theory and get to see groups come in and play.

"The violin is very expressive. It's another outlet for emotions. I started playing at my church (Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church), and it's another way to use that talent outside of school," she said.

She teaches religious education to first-graders at Immaculate Heart, is involved with the youth group and is an usher and greeter at Mass.

Her college of choice is Belmont Abbey in Belmont, N.C.

"It's very small, very focused, a Catholic school. I want to major in theology and go into youth ministry," she said.

Amanda Mortus

• Favorite Web site: askjeeves.com

• Favorite musician: Keith Urban

• Favorite TV show: Degrassi

• Favorite book: The Bible

• Hero: "My mom, Debbi. She's been really strong and independent and a great role model my entire life."

• Advice: "Be yourself and be honest because at the end of the day all you have is who you are."

• I really like to: sleep.

Do you know a young person, ages 8 to 18, who's going places? Fax the name, address and phone number and a brief summary of interests and accomplishments to Lifestyles, Going Places, 303-892-5407 or e-mail Spotlight@RockyMountainNews.com. Include your name and phone number.

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