Two Falcon High School seniors, Mary McClure and Kiah Hicks, have been honored as part of the Mayor’s Top 100 Teens in the area. Last year, Hicks represented FHS, and McClure will represent the school this year.McClure will be inducted into the group at a September ceremony featuring Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera.The Mayor’s Top 100 Teens program began in 1996, and recognizes the accomplishments of area teenagers. The program provides community service opportunities to the top teens.Hicks said she met outstanding students through her participation in the Mayor’s Top 100 Teens. “There are so many amazing students that don’t normally get recognized,” she said.Her experience with the Mayor’s Top 100 helped her gain greater respect for her peers. “We might be 15, 16 or 17, but there is so much we can do for the community,” Hicks said. “My confidence in what I can do has grown.”McClure said she was unaware of the nomination until she was chosen to participate with the elite group of students. “I was really honored; it’s such a big honor for someone to think of me,” she said. “I am looking forward to volunteering and helping people in need.”McClure is student body president, a member of the National Honor Society and regularly volunteers her time in the community at Care and Share Food Bank and Adopt-a-Road cleanup projects.She plans to attend college for a teaching degree. “I want to teach elementary school and then later teach high school math,” she said, adding that the icing on the cake would be to serve as a student government faculty advisor.Nicole Paxton, FHS Student Advisory Council faculty advisor, said McClure is one in a million. “I nominated Mary because she is an incredibly passionate and motivated student,” Paxton said. “She has dedicated her life to being exemplary, and it shows on a daily basis.”Hicks said McClure will represent Falcon well. “She is so responsible and such a hard worker,” Hicks said. “A lot of people take her for granted or don’t notice what she does. She deserves this recognition.”
