Matthew Clark Swings His Way into a Leadership Role

Clark plays tennis and soccer, and the thing so many people admire about him is that he always does his best.

"That's pretty much my motto, that I always give a 100 percent to everything that I can, and if not, I'm disappointed in myself," Clark said.

"Matthew is just a wonderful student," says Person teacher Wanda Ball. "He works really hard on every assignment to make sure it's the very best he can make it."

"He has a great personality," says tennis coach Ashley Knott. "He comes out here always in a good mood, and even if he's down in a tennis match, he works hard. He's very good kid out in the community. He volunteers and does a lot work."

Clark is an honor student, and a member of Who's Who Among American High School Students. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and a young man who is greatly involved in his community.

"The thing that impresses me most about Matthew is his character," Ball said. "He's a wonderful role model in the classroom for other students to emulate, and on the athletic field, he sets the standard that other young men can follow."

"I try to get the best out of everybody I can," Clark said. "I try to motivate people. I try to be my best, so other people know they can too."

"He wants to do the best he can, and he will do anything to achieve that," Knott said. "He's a hard worker, and has a good work ethic. I think that's very rare these days for a high school senior to have."

Matthew Clark of Person High School is this week's winner of theExtra Effort Award.