Emily Hove is a Flathead High School student committed to deepening her knowledge, pursuing her passions and exploring new interests.

She is also a leader who shows compassion and kindness toward others, according to Flathead Principal Michele Paine, who nominated her as a Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders honoree.

“Emily has always had a big heart and a lot of compassion for others. We work on a number of service projects through student council, and Emily always has solid ideas and works hard to serve all students,” Paine said.” Emily has taken on a servant leadership role, even in her years prior to high school. Emily is a friend to all; I have witnessed her many times engage with different students and her genuine interest shines through.”

Today’s Achievers, Tomorrow’s Leaders recognizes the academic achievement and community involvement of high school students who contribute to improving the lives of others. Kalispell Regional Healthcare sponsors the award in collaboration with the Daily Inter Lake.

In addition to the recognition, honorees choose a school club or activity to receive a $250 donation. Hove plans to donate the money to Flathead’s Youth Activation Committee, which helps with Special Olympics.

Hove has also worked with people with special needs through volunteering for Camp Promise at Big Sky Bible Camp.

Academically, Hove finished her sophomore year with a 4.0 GPA, establishing her dedication to learning. In the fall, she will be a junior.

“As a student, she is one of the most organized and focused students in her class. It is her passion, however, that stands out to me the most,” Paine stated her nomination letter. “She confidently follows through to explore her interests to the fullest. Sometimes high school students, for a variety of reasons, offer half-hearted efforts that disappoint. Sometimes they are ‘all in’ one moment and slacking off the next. Emily, over the two years I’ve known her, demonstrates passionate commitment and a desire to complete a job well. I typically do not see this confidence in sophomores; Emily is truly unique.”

Paine noted how Hove took challenging classes in preparation for taking rigorous International Baccalaureate classes her junior and senior year. Hove said she is excited to start the International Baccalaureate program, which offers classes with a world perspective that cover topics in-depth.

“I love knowing as much as I can as deeply as I can,” Hove said.

As a speech and debate member who competes in extemporaneous speaking, global politics is an area that has piqued her interest for some time.

“You’re given a random political topic that has to do with something going on currently and you have 30 minutes to do research and give a five-minute speech,” Hove said.

Medicine is also an area of interest for Hove, who is a member of HOSA — Future Health Professionals.

Her passion for academics may be matched by her passion for the performing arts. She plays violin in advanced orchestra, takes ballet at the Northwest Ballet Company. She’s played violin for five years and danced ballet for 10.

“Ballet’s a way for me to express myself and also how I stay active,” Hove said. “It really teaches you discipline.”

More recently Hove has taken to writing poetry. After receiving some encouragement where she posted some of her work online, she started working on self-publishing a poetry book, which she hopes to have available in the coming weeks. She said the poems were inspired by the problem of “apologizing too much,” and has fittingly titled the book “Unapologetically.”

“I think a lot of people, in particular, girls my age, can identify with that. I want others to know they don’t have to be apologetic of who they are,” Hove said.

What does leadership mean to her?

“I think it’s having a servant heart,” Hove said.

She believes the best leaders are individuals who want to connect with people they are leading.

“I think the best leaders aren’t ones telling people what to do, but are doing the work with the team. I think the best leaders are the most humble,” Hove said.

In the coming school year, she begins a new chapter of leadership. She will serve as the junior class student council vice president. As a member of student council, she’s helped with the school Angel Tree, food drive, and activities related to the school’s Motivation Foundation, which is meant to boost student morale.

“It’s a thing student council does where they do something small but sweet for the students to lift them up throughout the school year and encourage them,” Hove said.

She was also a member of Interact, where volunteering is a focus.

“What we do is we find different things to hep our community. One thing we did is we went to the nursing home during Christmas and brought homemade cards,” she said.

Her care and concern for others extends to her church community, where she is a member at Easthaven Baptist Church. Last spring, she helped organize a club with her friends and a large event called “How to Life,” meant to share the gospel with youth outside the church community.

“We didn’t want it for kids who already go to church and have a community. We wanted if for kids who don’t have a community,” Hove said.

“The whole point of putting it on was to tell students and for them to hear that we love them, and Jesus loves them. Our generation struggles so much with anxiety and depression,” she said.

Faith is the well she draws strength from in approaching each day with positivity, especially in light of a loved one’s cancer prognosis.

“I try to tell myself, ‘the joy of the Lord is my strength,’” she said, quoting a Bible verse.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.