Bakersfield.com

By: Brenda Greenwood

It’s the Cal Berkeley Alumni Scholarship Overnighter. I watch as a tall, beautiful young woman mingles with new acquaintances a few feet away. After a couple of minutes, she comes over to me and says, ‘Mom, I love you but it’s time for you to go.” She is right in a far greater sense than she realizes.

 

Kate Greenwood has always been a high achiever. Even in Kindergarten, the teacher selected her to be the first one to take the milk money to the office because she saw Kate’s maturity and desire to do her best. Throughout grade school, teachers appreciated the interest and inspiration she brought to her classes. Her projects were done with genuine interest in the subject and, of course, she had to ‘out do’ any example the teacher had presented to the class.

 

Straight ‘A’s and excellent class work was not all that Kate has strove to attain. She has always wanted to give back to her school, classmates and society. She has been able to do this by becoming involved in clubs and youth groups.   As an officer of the Liberty High Bible Club, she initiated the sponsorship of Silvia, a child from El Salvador, through Compassion International.  As the design editor for Liberty’s yearbook, she worked hard to provide multiple interesting and innovative templates, captions and spreads. As a member of the Riverlakes Community Bible Church youth leadership team, she has helped to build houses and relationships in Mexico, prayed for her fellow students and been an example of Christian virtues to her peers. As a Sunday School teacher at Riverlakes, Kate has also reached out to 3^rd and 4^th graders with the love Jesus Christ has placed in her heart.  

 

By Kate’s achievements, one might think that she hasn’t had too many other responsibilities. However, this isn’t true. Kate has twin sisters Emily and Laura, only two years younger than herself.  Emily has cerebral palsy and is unable to walk or do many things for herself. Kate has always been a very attentive big sister and has helped Emily have a ‘normal’ childhood. From the time Kate was only a few years old, she has included Emily in many of her activities; even if it meant picking her up and carrying her to another room. Daily during the grade school years, Kate helped to push Emily to and from school in her wheelchair and helped her participate in parties and sleep-overs. She has helped Emily with homework, art work, hobbies and making friends. Currently, as high school students, the three sisters regularly enjoy a ‘girls’ date out, undaunted by the inconvenience of accessibility issues.

 

Now, graduating from Liberty High with the number one ranking, Kate is ready to begin a new adventure.   As UC Berkeley provides the backdrop for this adventure, it is time for me to step back and let her spread her wings.  Kate will soar! And we will miss her greatly!

 

Congratulations Kate! We love you! Mom, Dad, Laura, and Emily