Herron is a safe place for uniqueness. It attracts students who weren’t accepted in their previous schools, bullied, and the innately talented and gifted. It is not a school that feels like a sea of people surrounds you. Cliques are non-existent, and there is no one sitting alone. Each individual stands out in the crowd. Sticking out like a sore thumb is cool. Because of this, students excel beyond their expected potential. There is no doubt the next Einstein or Tchaikovsky will emerge through Herron, which is Katie Woods.

You might know of Katie as the loquacious girl with big hair. There is far more beneath the poof. She is a recognizable focus not just because of her physical attention grabbing appearance, but her initiative to be striking.

Katie Woods is currently a sophomore at Herron, as well as the class vice president.  Although she is second to the throne, her ambitions get goals accomplished. It is sort of like a “secret donor” approach.  Her motto is, "Where you need me, I am there.”

Katie practically aids to whatever is needed around the school. She is very personable by making her words sound appealing and good.

“I talk pretty,” Woods states.

But, that is not entirely her approach. She has numerous aspirations in life, surrounded around being service orientated. Her interest of being in charge makes for a great leader.

Having an extensive volunteer work experience, is not just for personal validation. She ventures by joining numerous committees (ie. The Soup Kitchen). When an opportunity to help is presented, her hand is the first raised.

“There are so many smaller organizations in the city that need help, they are just not recognized,” Katie projects.

Kenya has been Katie’s passion since she was born. Before it was discontinued, Katie was the chairman of Herron’s Kenya Club. The Kenya Club partnered with The Mawego Sister School in Nairobi, Kenya, in efforts to provide children education and other services that weren’t accessible. The majority of Woods’ volunteer experience revolved around Kenya. Prior of attending Herron, she was apart of the Umoja project, which helped send Kenyan children to school, which was not free. The organization participated in numerous fundraisers in order to raise enough money to send kids to high school, and provide necessities for the students.

Approximately, two-hundred children went to school.

She feels that the media plays a role in our country taking pity on Africa.

Katie is also known as Herron’s “mini-therapist”. She is always there to talk to.

“Simply looking to the person and saying ‘how are you feeling’ is important. Focus on one person at a time rather than a whole village, which intends for better results,” Woods advises.

Taking initiative and being assertive is what brought Woods success. Really, anybody can help."Helping is taking what you're good at and applying it to the greater good,” Katie expands.

She believes that anyone can post a status online about feeling bad, but what really makes a difference is if the individual seeks help instead of feeling sorry for themselves.

Being a peer tutor, having an internship at the Harrison Center for the Arts, being apart of Kenya Help Us, working at the homeless shelter, and simply being a wing woman, is just the beginning of her dreams. Being well rounded and not sticking to one cause is truly what Katie wants us to take from her. So, if you see her running around like a mad woman, it’s all for you.