Though she doesn't describe herself as a someone born for the stage, her choir's trip to sing in Carnegie Hall is something Kaitlyn Curry will treasure for the rest of her life.

The Paducah Tilghman High School senior has been involved in choir for three years. Curry said she's generally on the shy side when she first meets someone or tries a new experience then slowly warms to the opportunity. That hasn't stopped her from trying and succeeding in a myriad of arenas.

Curry has been cheerleading for most of her life. She also plays soccer and tennis. Spreading her love of athletics and fitness while also working with her home church, First Baptist Church, is something Curry wants to continue through college and into her professional life. Her work with the Upward Cheerleading program through church allowed her to teach young girls the athleticism, timing and enthusiasm of cheer while also looking to the Bible for spiritual direction.

Kaitlyn Curry, daughter of David and Traci Curry, is the Mid-Continent University Teen of the Week. Each Monday, the Sun features a different MCU Teen of the Week selected from nominees that high school guidance counselors throughout western Kentucky and southern Illinois submit to the Sun. Mid-Continent University will provide each Teen of the Week with a $2,500 annual scholarship to its university, which is renewable for four years. In the spring, a Teen of the Year will be chosen from the weekly winners and will receive a full four-year scholarship to Mid-Continent University, currently valued at up to $55,000, or a cash reward of $2,500 paid through the Paducah Sun if the student selects another college to attend.

Curry will study biomedical engineering at Vanderbilt University, University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, Alabama University or the University of Mississippi. Though she's not sure if she wants to go into medical school, she hopes to do something that involves children.

Her time management and hard work were put to the test sophomore year when she came down with mononucleosis. She was out of school for a month and a half.

"It was when I first started AP classes," she said. "It really challenged me to my endurance. It showed me that even though I was sick, I could push through and do things."

Throughout her high school career, Curry has been a leader in many areas. One of her favorite volunteer opportunities was working with the Hispanic ministry program with her church. Though she only took Spanish for two years, a close friend speaks Spanish at home, and she's picked it up over the years. With some children who couldn't speak any English, Curry said the experience was so rewarding because it was a constant challenge.

It's that kind of mentality that Curry will take on as she marches on to academia.

"I'm the type of person that if I don't have something to do, I'm going to find something to do," she said. "And so I always want to be challenged and pushed to be the better person and be the best me I can possibly be."