WVHS freshman focused
Ashley Bueckers owns more than 33 animals, a cool Camp Fire uniform and a personal letter from George Bush.
While it may seem like an eclectic collection, it’s much more. It’s representative of her hard work and desire to get things done.
Bueckers, 14, has been raising and showing rabbits since fourth grade after being introduced to the animals in 4-H. Since then, she has entered more than 50 shows and won hundreds of awards. This year, she is president of the Lilac City Youth Rabbit and Cavy (guinea pig) 4-H Club. Bueckers will be selling purebred bunnies at Northwest Seed and Pet with her 4-H club next week.
Bueckers’ Camp Fire uniform, complete with patches and badges, also is evidence of her desire to excel. Bueckers said that while most kids quit before the seventh grade, she will have her Wohelo, the top Camp Fire award, by her senior year.
“She has a goal,” said Bueckers’ mother, Laura. “There’s no alternative; she will reach it.”
Ashley Bueckers’ personal letter from George Bush came with the President’s Volunteer Service Award and is in recognition of Bueckers’ service, which includes working with children at Camp Dart-Lo, serving Thanksgiving dinners to senior citizens, distributing Christmas presents and working with the Spokane Humane Society and Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery.
“People have to help their community more,” Bueckers said. “You’d help your neighbor if he needed it, wouldn’t you? If no one helped, nothing would get done and nothing would get better.”
The freshman at West Valley High School also keeps busy with violin, volleyball and track while still managing to get straight A’s.
“She’s very good at delegating and managing her time,” said her mother. “She works hard and is focused. She’s not perfect; she’s made mistakes, but she’s learned from them. She’s a positive role model.”
Ashley Bueckers thinks she may become an optometrist or physical therapist. Until then, she’ll continue to lead by example, work hard and get things done, all while adding to her resume.