— In our four decades of passing out the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award, we've heard many creative descriptions of our winners. Our stop at Nash Central High School provided a new one: a self-described "ball of anxiety."

"I'm constantly nervous about absolutely everything. I'm extremely nervous about every single test that I take," explains Sarah Hicks, Nash Central senior and Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award Winner. "I get so nervous that I get to the point where I'm about to throw up before some swim meets. I used to not eat at all on any meet day, that includes track, swim and gymnastics."

"It's not a bundle of nerves of 'oh, I didn't get this done,' or 'I'm behind in this.' She gets her work done, but she wants it to be perfect," Nash Central AP History teacher Renny Taylor clarifies.

Where Sarah Hicks finds the time to be so skittish is another question, because all of the other hours in the day seem to be accounted for with an abundance of activities and athletics.

She is captain of the swim team, a multi-event track and field standout, and a former gymnastics star turned coach just to name a few.

"My dad gets really mad at me because he thinks I need down time, and I need to take a break all the time, but I get bored!" laughs Hicks.

"We are constantly fighting for time for her to practice," says Kyle Bain, Nash Central's athletic director. "She's constantly having to come a bit late, leave a bit early for gymnastics. She's the president of two Honors organizations here. It's amazing all she does in a day."

All while carrying a 4.46 GPA, on pace for school salutatorian.

"She makes life easier as a teacher, and she makes life more enjoyable as a teacher because she's one of those that you can actually see is getting it," says Nash Central HS science teacher John Wozniak.

All of Hicks' own successes don't seem to matter much to her. It's seeing others succeed, others thrive, that brings her the most joy. It's why she's devoted her swim season to raising money for childhood cancer. Sarah is partnering with Alex's Lemonade Stand, for which she's hoping to raise $400 over the course of her senior campaign. If you'd like to help contribute to the cause, Hicks as you to just follow the link:

https://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/1588707

It's also the inspiration for why she plans on becoming a pediatric oncologist.

"I want to be the change in the world that I want to see," Hicks smiles.

Thankfully that ball of anxiety, Sarah Hicks, made enough time for us. So we could call her this week's winner, of the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award.