With a strong faith and heart geared toward the needs of others, Carlisle County High School senior Brooke Thompson learned early on what is truly important.
When her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of her freshman year, Thompson refused to shut down despite her fear and doubts, so she could be a source of strength and positivity for her family.
"It was one of the hardest things that I've ever been through," Thompson said. "But being strong for my mom was the most important thing for me to do. I think my faith, as well as my family, really grew from that."
Despite a recurrence of cancer, Thompson's mother is doing well. Although it's been difficult to watch her mother go through cancer treatments twice, Thompson said it's taught her what it means to trust that everything happens for a reason.
Thompson, the daughter of Aaron and Angel Thompson, is the Paducah Bank Teen of the Week. Each week in the online edition and Tuesday in the print edition, The Sun features a teen selected from nominees submitted by guidance counselors throughout the region. Near the end of the school year, one of the students profiled will be named Teen of the Year and receive a $5,000 scholarship.
On top of maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average, Thompson is president of Future Business Leaders of America, vice president of Students Taking Action Resisting Substances (STARS), and secretary of Beta Club.
Thompson was a Kentucky Governor's Scholar program participant last year, attended the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Conference, received the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship, and has been named Student of the Month on several occasions. She also plays varsity volleyball for Carlisle County High School.
Being in a position of leadership with FBLA and Beta Club, Thompson said she has learned a lot about what it takes to be an effective leader and problem solver.
"With FBLA, there is obviously sometimes conflicts between officers and members, so being president has really taught me how to deal with that stuff and to be a mediator within the club," Thompson said.
"It's taught me to put others before myself and to focus on what the club and its members need and want."
"It was one of the hardest things that I've ever been through," Thompson said. "But being strong for my mom was the most important thing for me to do. I think my faith, as well as my family, really grew from that."
Despite a recurrence of cancer, Thompson's mother is doing well. Although it's been difficult to watch her mother go through cancer treatments twice, Thompson said it's taught her what it means to trust that everything happens for a reason.
Thompson, the daughter of Aaron and Angel Thompson, is the Paducah Bank Teen of the Week. Each week in the online edition and Tuesday in the print edition, The Sun features a teen selected from nominees submitted by guidance counselors throughout the region. Near the end of the school year, one of the students profiled will be named Teen of the Year and receive a $5,000 scholarship.
On top of maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average, Thompson is president of Future Business Leaders of America, vice president of Students Taking Action Resisting Substances (STARS), and secretary of Beta Club.
Thompson was a Kentucky Governor's Scholar program participant last year, attended the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Conference, received the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship, and has been named Student of the Month on several occasions. She also plays varsity volleyball for Carlisle County High School.
Being in a position of leadership with FBLA and Beta Club, Thompson said she has learned a lot about what it takes to be an effective leader and problem solver.
"With FBLA, there is obviously sometimes conflicts between officers and members, so being president has really taught me how to deal with that stuff and to be a mediator within the club," Thompson said.
"It's taught me to put others before myself and to focus on what the club and its members need and want."
Thompson is also very involved at her church, Bethlehem Baptist, and works designated Saturdays with their SOS program, working in the food pantry and associated with ethnic and socioeconomically diverse populations. She has also volunteered with the McCracken County Humane Society and Relay for Life.
Thompson said being kind to others is a priority.
"You never know what people are going through," Thompson said. "I think it's important to put yourself in other people's shoes and recognize that if you were them, you would want people to be kind to me and smile at you. So that's what I try to do for other people."
Thompson will attend Murray State University in the fall to major in business. For now, she hopes to one day be a financial adviser, but is open to other paths as she learns and grows. Business, she said, has always been a draw for her.