Thomas Coughlin, her cross-country coach, says Hilliard runs with determination and tenacity.
"She does her best all of the time. Whether it is cross-country or whether we are out here doing some kind of drill or any kind of strength or conditioning program, she is right on top of it," he says.
Hilliard says she likes to be the best as everything.
"I like to stand out," she says. "I want people to think that when they see me, that, 'Wow,' she tries her best at everything and she succeeds most of the time because she wants it so bad.
Hilliard, an excellent student with a 3.5 grade point average, says her family always told her that schoolwork comes first before sports.
"I'm been told so many times that if you can't pull that up to an A, then you are not running cross country," she says.
Clayton teacher Amy Davis says Hilliard always does her best in class.
"She is the type that will take the assignment and go for more and ask for the additional help," she says. "She will ask for more information, not only for the grade, but for her own self-satisfaction."
Shelly Hilliard is this week's winner of the Extra Effort Award. Tom Suiter's Extra Effort award airs Wednesdays during WRAL's 6:00 News.
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