Anne Peele getting a head start on leadership skills

Anne Peele, who will be a freshman at East Valley High school in September, doesn’t do the self-pity thing. A child of divorce, she’s learned a lot and is quick to give advice.

“Just know it’s not your fault,” she said, “and never put yourself in the middle.”

Not one to wallow, Anne, 13, is self-motivated and a very good student.

“She’s conscientious and has very good organizational skills,” says Carol Ann Mountjoy, one of Peele’s eighth-grade teachers at East Valley Middle school. As a student as well as a student aide, Anne always anticipated what Mountjoy and her students needed. “She likes helping students,” said Mountjoy. “She cares a lot and wants others to do well.”

School is important to Anne. “It’s not that hard to do well in school,” Anne said. “You just need to be motivated, and you won’t amount to much without a proper education.” Her goal is to continue to motivate and help others by being a social worker.

Already she has gained experience in the field through the work she does for veterans. Anne is president of American Legion Auxiliary Juniors Idaho State. She has been involved with the organization since she was 5 and has done fundraisers, conventions and parades, all of which support veterans. Recently, she wrote an essay on patriotism and earned some awards.

Anne’s mother, Jennie LaRocca, is proud of her daughter. “She’s very independent, and she’s a leader,” she said, “The work she’s done with the American Legion was done all on her own, one meeting at a time.”

While supporting others is important to Anne, so is the support from others, such as her best friends, Augie Rife and Patrick Wolfe.

“It’s important to have good friends,” Anne said.

“I can’t wait to see what her future holds,” said LaRocca.