Bend High School senior Emily Robertson, 17, has a 3.97 GPA and competes in roller derby with the Lava City Roller Dolls junior derby team. Her derby name is Bridget Ponz, after her favorite literary character, Bridget Jones.

During the day, Bend High School senior Emily Robertson, 17, is a hard-working, high-achieving honor student. But when darkness falls, Emily becomes someone else: a hard-edged and spirited roller derby player named Bridget Ponz.

“My confidence has grown so much since I started skating,” Emily said.

Emily is a student who knows not only how do well in school, but also how to excel in extracurricular activities. Student Council, DECA and roller derby are all activities Emily has been involved in during her three years of high school. And she’s done all of it while maintaining a 3.97 GPA.

“I’ve always really loved school,” Emily said. “And I take it very seriously. School is like a job.”

This is Emily’s third year in student council, and during her time there she has helped organize blood drives, food drives and fundraisers.

“I like being involved,” Emily said. “I’m a natural leader, and I like stepping up and getting things done.”

This is the second year Emily will be in the school’s business and marketing program — DECA. Last year, she placed fourth at the state competition in the Entrepreneurial Written Event category for a business plan she created with another student.

Academically, Emily has taken several years of rigorous advanced placement classes. Her favorite is English. He least favorite is math.

The precious free time that Emily does have is spent on the roller derby rink. Emily has been on the junior team of the Lava City Roller Dolls for about a year. She likes the fact that girls who aren’t necessarily athletic — or don’t fit in with the traditional girls sports of softball or volleyball — can join and build confidence. Emily’s roller derby name is based on her favorite literary character, Bridget Jones, but with a roller derby twist on it. The term “ponz” means to own or beat someone on the rink.

In terms of her future, Emily doesn’t have to give it much thought. Ever since she was in kindergarten, she’s known exactly what she’s wanted to do with her life.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” Emily says. “In kindergarten, I had a great teacher. I wanted to be that for other people.”

For now, she’s focusing on finishing up her last year in high school and enjoying the many activities she’s involved in.

“Being involved in all these activities has helped me to not fall into the wrong crowd,” said Emily. “It’s helped me focus, and do everything that I need to do to stay on track.”

Emily Robertson

Age: 17

School: Bend High School

Year: Senior

Grade-point average: 3.97

Why she’s special: Student council, DECA, roller derby team

After high school: Western Oregon University

Favorite subject: English

Least favorite subject: Math

For fun: Roller derby

Favorite TV shows: “Project Runway,” “Big Brother”

Favorite movie: “Simon Birch”

Role models: Her parents, Bend High science teacher Kathleen Yaeger