Student leader aims to change the world

Incarnate Word Academy senior Laken Carleton hopes to attend Dartmouth after high school. (Contributed photo)

Laken Carleton, a senior at Incarnate Word Academy, said: “I think leadership is a quality that should be emphasized more in school and in home life. Last semester, we hosted a SewFest at our school in which we made 100 dresses to go to little girls in Guatemala and Jamaica. The
leadership group I am a part of hosted the event. They sent pictures back wearing them. It was humbling to see how big of an impact we made on the girls who received the dresses.”

Name of school: Incarnate Word Academy

Student name: Laken Carleton

Age: 18

Grade: 12

Accomplishments: Has been accepted to Creighton University and received scholarships to Creighton and Baylor Universities, president of Popcorn Leadership Club, captain of cross-country team, senior class president, secretary of Mu Alpha Theta (a math honor society), runs track and plays soccer

Favorite class: “AP English because I like reading and writing. I especially like analyzing readings. I also like being able to express my thoughts through creative writing.”

Favorite things to do after class: “I like doing things with my family, going to watch football games and watching movies, especially comedies.”

Favorite website: “Twitter because I like seeing what everyone’s doing. I mostly follow professional athletes. They usually have interesting and motivational things to say.”

Favorite TV show: “‘Dance Moms.’ It’s highly entertaining. But on a serious note, the young girls put a lot of work into what they do, and they do it well.”

Favorite movie: "'The Help. It was a good combination of funny and sweet, and most of all it showed the challenges these women faced.”

Ambition: “I want to go to Dartmouth because they try to choose students who are very unique, and they want to open your horizons. I would love to study political science there; I know if I end up on that career path. I could change in the world.”