Mon, Dec 06, 1999

By BRIAN STRAIGHT
Sports Editor

For Blackstone-Millville's Lauren McCourt, school is as much a cultural activity as it is a learning activity.

The 15-year-old sophomore is busy with student council, peer ed, band, sports and a new after school job.

"High school is a lot of work, but it's fun," the Blackstone native says. "If you get involved, you'll have a good time.'

McCourt plays soccer in the fall and softball in the spring for BMR, both since seventh grade.

"I really enjoy the sport (of soccer), so it's nice to be able to enjoy the sport (at the high school level)," McCourt says. "It teaches you a lot about dedication, teamwork and being part of a team."

When she entered high school, McCourt also became involved in student council. Last year she was honored for her outstanding dedication to the council. Just last week, McCourt received another honor. She will head to Cape Cod in the spring to be part of the CD Mass Conference, a three-day meeting of student council members throughout Massachusetts that gather for workshops and lectures.

McCourt is one of 12 who will go from BMR. Nine, though, are elected by the council. Three, McCourt among them, automatically are invited based on the hours of devotion to the council. She is also on the Per Ed group, which tries to help educate the student body about the dangers of drugs and alcohol while also helping the needy.

"It's nice to be able to help out the school and community and be involved in different things," McCourt said. "Last year we had a peace walk."

McCourt has also played the oboe since fourth grade and continues to play in the school band.

"I joined the band in fourth grade because I thought it would be kind of nice to play an instrument," she said.

She also maintains a straight 'A' average in difficult courses such as Biology honors, Spanish 2, World history, Geometry concentrated and English.

"I wasn't sure if I was going to like (Biology) at the beginning of the year because some of my friends were telling me the teacher was hard, which she is, but I do like it," McCourt said.

Family is also important to McCourt, who hopes to remain in the New England area upon graduation. She has three older siblings, brothers Kevin and Brian, and sister Elizabeth.

"I had them to look up to and I get along well with them," McCourt said.

With the conditions of the world today, does McCourt want to improve it?

"It's kind of upsetting with all the fighting and hunger," she said. "I'm not sure what people can do, but if people get along better… that would solve some of the problems."

McCourt does thing being a Scholastic-Athlete of the Week can help others realize that athletes are more than just jocks.

"I think they will notice you can do more than just sports," she said. "We have schoolwork and other activities just like everybody else."