Extra Effort: Eno River Academy's Hannah Smith sets others up for success

A peer ambassador and a senior volleyball captain and track athlete, Hannah Smith cares about Eno River Academy.

"Hannah is just one of those kids that you just can't not talk about while you're smiling," Eno River Academy volleyball coach Meagan Kimbrough said, funny enough, while smiling.

The lone senior on the team, teachers say Smith wants to bring people together.

"I love looking for ways to include everyone, that's not for personal gain, I think it just makes it a better place," Smith said.

That meant even starting a whole new team this past year: a men's volleyball club at the school.

"Uhh, they're definitely boys, but I'm sure they would prefer men's," Smith joked.

Practicing after school and during lunch, the team participated in tournaments. Smith even coached on occasion.

"They were... very very rambunctious."

Principal Lindsey Sealy said it's rare for a high school student being so generous with their time,

"There are students who are top of the class who kill it academically and there are students who are just athletically gifted and there are students who are just kind. I think it's really rare that you get the trifecta and I think that's what makes Hannah stand out so much," Sealy said.

"She's going to leave a lasting impression on so many of these players," Kimbrough said.

Not that she's asking for the attention.

"I don't know, it's cool to have the spotlight, but I wish I could show it on them, and say hey y'all are also awesome because y'all keep me going," Smith said.

And that's why Hannah Smith is this week's winner of the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award.