One of the most important moments in Lacey Wickersham’s high school career had nothing to do with her own grades, praise, or awards.

It had to do with watching a student with autism walk up on a stage and victoriously collect his high school diploma

“Even though my part in his graduating wasn’t the biggest, to be able to have some part in it was really cool,” Lacey, 17, said. “It really takes a village to help these kids grow, and when you do see that growth, it’s amazing.”

Lacey, a Mountain View High School senior, is a 4.0 GPA student who spends her free time as a volunteer mentor in the school’s Lifeskills program. She’s also a My Future My Choice mentor for younger students, and a volunteer with the Red Cross Club.

“I just think of all the people in my life that have influenced me in a positive way,” Lacey said. “I just thought, what’s stopping me from being that person for someone else?”

Since she was a freshman, Lacey has volunteered as a mentor in Mountain View’s Lifeskills classes. Often, she says, the most important part of volunteering with the program for mentally disabled students is contributing to the social aspect. Just talking to students and being a friend to them makes a huge difference, Lacey says.

Lacey’s desire to help others started at a young age. Lacey’s older brother was born with CHARGE Syndrome, a genetic disorder. She said it hasn’t always been easy, but that his impact on her has been profound.

“He’s helped me approach mental disabilities in a different way than most of society,” Lacey said. “A lot of people meet mentally disabled people and are uncomfortable, but I’m proud that I’ve been able to cross that line and see it from another perspective.”

In addition to her brother, she credits her parents for also having a huge positive influence on her, saying that all the good qualities she has, such as perseverance and compassion, were taught to her by them.

Aside from Lacey’s many volunteer efforts, she’s also a member of Mountain View’s Speech and Debate team.

It’s early in the speech and debate season, but so far, it’s been a promising year. Lacey and her public forum debate partner recently went undefeated at a competition held in Clackamas, spurring her hopes of possibly making it to the national competition this year.

When Lacey isn’t studying, volunteering, or practicing speeches, she can be found working part time at Shopko. Lacey approaches her job as a cashier the way she approaches everything else in her life: with a glass half-full kind of attitude.

“Even if I have 20 people in my line, I make the point of greeting and talking to each person,” Lacey said. “I do my job efficiently, but I make sure to give each person time.”

Lacey’s counselor, Kathi Gonzales, says Lacey is a bright and friendly student who has made a positive impact at Mountain View.

“Lacey is admired among her peers, my colleagues and myself,” Gonzales said. “She has been an asset to our campus and would be to any university she chooses to attend.”

That university, in fact, is Stanford University, which Lacey recently learned has accepted her for admission. She’s planning on studying Russian history, inspired by a lifelong interest in the country.

She says in terms of her future career path, there’s one thing she’s sure of.

“The biggest thing for me is working with people in a positive way,” Lacey said. “I want to make an apparent difference.”

Lacey Wickersham

Lacey Wickersham, 17

Mountain View High School senior

Favorite Books: “Swan Song” by Robert R. McCammon, “Graceling” by Kristin Cashore

Favorite TV Show: “Bob’s Burgers”

Favorite Movie: “Anastasia,” “Pan’s Labyrinth”

Favorite Music: Regina Spektor, Imogen Heap

Age: 17, a senior at Mountain View High School

Favorite Books: “Swan Song” by Robert R. McCammon, “Graceling” by Kristin Cashore

Favorite TV Show: “Bob’s Burgers”

Favorite Movie: “Anastasia,” “Pan’s Labyrinth”

Favorite Music: Regina Spektor, Imogen Heap