Katie Stutts has taken much of what she has learned in her young life and applied it to help a young girl to deal with the same struggles she has dealt with at her age.
Stutts serves as a big sister at Aim High Mentoring. When she was a sophomore in high school she was introduced to a fifth-grade girl, Bella, who had been a victim of bullying.
“She needed that light in her life, but at the beginning of our relationship it was rough,” Stutts said. “She didn’t want to open up to me and didn’t want to talk. It’s hard to get kids like that to come out of their shell.”
But Stutts didn’t give up.
Her persistence paid off.
The two now have formed an unbreakable bond.
“Now, it’s one of her favorite things,” Stutts added. “She wants to know when is the next time she is going to see me. It’s also one of my favorite parts of the week. It has transformed me as a person, and I’ve seen her character grow as a result of being able to meet with me and be able to bond with someone who has gone through the same struggles that I’ve had in high school. She reminds me a lot of myself, so I enjoy seeing her grow and see myself grow because of her.”
Her work as a mentor as well as her hard work in the classroom are reasons why she is the 2021 Scholar Dollar Student of the Year.
Serving as a mentor, Stutts said she holds herself to a higher standard.
“I strive each day to set an example for her,” Stutts said. “I am more conscious of how I treat others and myself and remind her that in the long run, the way she takes care of herself and others will make the most impact. … Her character has immensely changed, and I am proud of the young woman she has become.”
Stutts said that Bella asked her to continue to serve as a mentor to her through college.
“So I’ll stick with her until she decides she’s too cool for me,” Stutts said.
Stutts plans on attending the University of North Alabama to pursue a degree in psychiatry and become a member of the UNA Marching Pride Lionette Line.
She chose this career path because of the personal experiences she has had with mental health.
Stutts’ family dynamic was complicated, which caused her to struggle.
By age 13, she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and severe depression, which caused a noticeable difference in the way she handled things at home and at school.
After dealing with these illnesses and learning more about the way they work, Stutts decided to be an educator for youth like herself who feel inadequate because they struggle with a challenge most cannot understand.
“I’ve dedicated a lot of time learning about mental health through research to figure out this is what this is and this is what that is,” she said. “I really want to be an advocate for those who have struggled like I have and provide assistance to those who need the help they need.”
Stutts understands becoming a psychiatrist will take intense training and education, but she said she doesn’t want to be a financial burden to anyone.
“I have already received some scholarships, but I will need more to cover the expenses of books, fees and tuition,” she said. “I want to be able to help my parents out as much as possible because they still have two more children to put through school. By handling myself mentally and financially, they will be less burdened by college costs and I will be able to better focus and dedicate myself to my studies.”
In school she is a member of Friends of Rachel, Key Club, Student Council, First Priority, Northwest-Shoals Community College talent search, the high school Diamond Girls, FBLA, National Honor Society, the 24 Karat Club, Sheffield High School Sound of the Shoals Marching Band, Aim High Mentoring, Sheffield Ambassadors, Yearbook staff, Mu Alpha Theta and Mabel’s Heroes.
She also works with the charity, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which is dedicated to building and delivering beds to children in need within the community.
“I have become aware of how fortunate I truly am to have a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in each night,” she said. “It was hard to believe that people so close to me could be sleeping on the floor. I hope to continue to work with this organization and be a more kind, more compassionate and more grateful person as a result.”
Some of the leadership roles she has within school include currently serving as president of the Student Council and her 12th-grade class.
She is business editor of the yearbook and captain of the danceline.
“I have been able to assist and give back to my fellow classmates and community, determine my own strengths and weaknesses and be a confidant for the people I have to lead,” she said. “I am trusted within my school and community, so I am given more opportunities I may not have otherwise. I know I am a servant leader, willing to help out in any areas I am needed. I have learned to be dependable and gracious, and love being able to take charge while showing that you can be successful without trying to dictate or be disrespectful.”
Some of her current honors and awards include being a DAR nominee, a member of the National Honor Society, being named Homecoming Queen, Senior Who’s Who: Best All-Around, 24 Karat Club: Good Citizenship, Top 10% and ranked No. 3 in her class, Distinguished Young Women: Self-Expression Award, Shoals HIRE Academy graduate, Top Beauty Pageant – best interview, picture perfect and queen, Marching Band – best positive attitude and Rookie of the Year, Microsoft Word 2019 certified, Samsung Solve Tomorrow team member and state winner.
Lin Reynolds
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