It was wonderful to see Tidioute Charter's two senior girls basketball players get a win on Tuesday.
Lacy Wolford is one of the two seniors (the other, Loralee Lindemuth), and one of about a half dozen girls on the whole team, which entered the week at 0-10.
Wolford has proven to be a leader, by example, in volleyball, basketball and softball at the small school.
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Tidioute Charter senior Lacy Wolford
"She'll lead with humor," said her father, Larry. "Always the cheerleader, too."
But it's the extra effort and determination in everything she does that sets her apart - she has her hand in most everything at Tidioute Community Charter School.
"She did a pretty good job leading last night," said her proud father about Tuesday's win.
A little "Q & A" with Lacy Wolford:
Q: Who are your parents and siblings, what sports do you participate in?
A: My parents are Larry and Monica Wolford and I have one sister, Lita. I play volleyball, basketball, and softball.
Q: You have been a part of tons of things at Tidioute Charter. How much a part of you is Tidioute Charter, and what do you hope for future leaders at the school?
A: Tidioute Charter is a really big part of me. Being part of all the different clubs and organizations makes me feel like I can get closer to everyone because it is such a small school. I hope that the leaders of the school will continue to do their part to provide a good education and hopefully the sports program will continue to grow.
Q: Do you view yourself as a leader? Why or why not?
A: Yes, I do view myself as a leader. I am co-captain of the volleyball and basketball teams. I am also Student Council and National Honor Society President, which makes me involved with decision making, and making sure everyone that participates is trying to do their best.
With all these responsibilities, I feel like I am also a good role model as well as a leader.
Q: All this said, are you a small-town girl or do you dream of the big city?
A: I would consider myself a small-town girl. I horseback ride at my grandpa's farm and family is a big part of me.
I would like to travel and visit other places but being close to home is more for me. I like having the feeling that you know a lot of people around you.
Q: Describe yourself as an athlete, and then as a person. Do they parallel?
A: As an athlete, I am determined to do my part as a teammate. I give each game my best effort and I try my best to be the athlete I know I can be.
As a person, I am the type of person who likes to have fun at what I am doing, but when it is time to be serious my dedication is there.
I think that being an athlete is what makes me the person I am; whatever I am doing that does not deal with sports. I am still trying to do my best and succeed at it, so, yes, I believe they parallel with each other.
Q: What do you like most about sports, having participated in so many of them?
A: I like the competition of sports, the fact that somebody is competing for the same thing I want and push me for it.
Participating in three different sports gives me different ways to express myself through something I really enjoy.
Q: How much have sports influenced your life?
A: If I'm not doing homework, or school, I am playing a sport. I believe that sports teaches you values, discipline, and builds on your character. I feel like if I didn't have sports in my life I would be a totally different person.
Q: What are you involved in outside of sports?
A: Outside of sports, I do not really have much time to spare. I work at Polly's Shursave, horseback ride, hang out with my friends, and spend time with my family when I get the chance. I also enjoy having movie nights with my sister, Lita.
Q: What do you want to do after high school? College?
A: I have always been interested in helping people.
After high school I plan to go to the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville for Nursing and pursue a career in that field.
Q: Would you ever consider being a coach? In what sport, and what would your philosophy be?
A: If I would even become a coach I think I would want to coach volleyball.
I would say don't ever give up, keep your head high, and always try your best. Make sure you put your heart into it and play the game that you know how to play.
Volleyball was a really tough sport for me to catch on to, but once I got it, I loved it.
Q: Who is your inspiration and why?
A: My inspiration would have to be my parents. My dad was my basketball and softball coach for the majority of my elementary years and now he is my biggest support watching.
My dad always encourages me to do anything I can to know I will succeed in what I want to accomplish.
My mom has always supported me no matter what sport I play. She is always there for me; any time I need something she is there with the best advice and tries to encourage me to push myself harder and make the right decisions.
Q: Tell me something not many know about you that you'd be willing to share. Like something you've always been interested in but not that many people know about.
A: I have always wanted to be part of animal rescues. Ever since I was little, we have always adopted animals and I have always had pets around me. I feel like it would be very rewarding to me and the animal.
Q: Name a professional athlete you follow that you'd most like to pattern yourself after.
A: I do not follow one particular athlete, I like watching a variety of sports, but I would say I follow the Pittsburgh Penguins the most.
I love watching players have that much dedication to something they really enjoy and play the sport they love and turn it into a career.
Q: Tell me one question I forgot to ask, and then answer it
A: If you had your choice to be anything you wanted to be, what would it be?
I have always wanted to be a singer. When I was little, all I did was sing on the karaoke machine my mom bought me. I enjoy going to the recording studio at my school and being able to sing different genres.
Although it is a big dream, Nursing is probably more realistic for me.