Representing Coeur d’Alene can be a mountain of a challenge. Fortunately for Amanda Kuespert, she’s used to having mountains in front of her.

Kuespert was selected Wednesday as the Coeur d’Alene Association of Realtors’ famed Realtor of the Year recipient, which recognizes agents who have served their communities as much as their clients, participating in local projects to improve the area’s way of life while maintaining a high level of integrity.

“I’m very excited,” Kuespert said. “We have so many real estate agents who could have won this. It comes as a real surprise and an honor to accept this award.”

While helping homebuyers through the purchasing process, she also serves on the PTA, volunteers with 4-H and, most recently, worked on the Rathdrum Mountain Story Walk Trail. The half-mile interactive walking path, designed to provide children a more tactile nature experience, opened in August.

“It was a great experience to work on,” Kuespert recalled. “We all put a lot of time and work into it. I’m very proud to have been part of it.”

Nominated by her peers, the Lake City High School graduate will represent Coeur d’Alene during the state convention in Sun Valley Oct. 1. From there, committees will choose which agent will represent Idaho at Nationals in San Francisco this November.

Kuespert, president of the Coeur d’Alene Association, has already served on its Professional Standards and Marketing committees, the State Association’s convention committee, and serves on the National Association of Realtors’ Housing Opportunity Committee. An agent for the last 16 years, she became a Realtor shortly after graduating from Lake City High School in 2003.

“The Realtor of the Year program is designed to recognize Realtors who have served not only their profession, but also their communities,” association executive officer Ali Taylor said in a statement. “These individuals show great Realtor spirit with high principles of integrity, adherence to the Realtor Code of Ethics, and furtherance of the principles of good real estate practice among brokers, agents, and the general public. Their business conduct and educational accomplishments are at the highest levels.”

Kuespert contends her drive to lead in her industry came at a very young age.

“My mom has been a Realtor since I was probably 5 years old,” she said. “I actually knew in the third grade this is what I wanted to do … I just love working with different people every day, meeting new people every day. Just the feeling I get handing people the keys to their new house — helping them realize their goals — makes it all worthwhile.”