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Westminster Student is an Active Leader

Laura Kaup works for tobacco abuse prevention.

senior Laura Kaup is a successful student and a leader who has overcome challenges to speak out about an important issue.

Laura is an active member of student organizations SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) and TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use). The groups encourage creating smoke-free environments and go to elementary schools to educate 4th-6th graders about the dangers of tobacco use. Laura has family members who have struggled with tobacco use, and prevention is something she “has always been passionate about,” she said.

Laura has also served as a student ambassador and has been on the student council for her junior and senior years. “Organizing events is a lot of fun,” she said of the experience. In her free time, she enjoys scrapbooking, baking, and making bracelets.

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Laura was born with Carpenter Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that can affect the craniofacial structure and can cause learning disabilities. Laura has a learning disability, and was held back for two years in school. She said it was a bit hard to watch her peers graduating when she was a sophomore, “but I’ve definitely overcome that challenge,” she said. She has overcome her challenges so well that she has earned a 3.7 GPA at Westminster. She credited the school’s Learning Center for its “phenomenal” help, especially because, she said, programs of its type are rare at Christian schools.  

Laura was named a Gateway West Leader of Tomorrow in 2010 as a junior. Recipients of the award are chosen for being strong leaders, positive role models, and successful students. Through the award, Laura received a $10,000 scholarship to . She hopes to study special education when she enters the school this fall.

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