Waukesha West Student Makes Big Impressions for Giving Back

senior Sara DeMaster has an impressive resume of community involvement and volunteer activities, in addition to sports and clubs. But there’s another, more personal job, that shows her spirit in action every day.

Principal David Towers described her as the “go-to” girl just over a month into his first year at the school.

Sara is a captain for pom and dance, lacrosse and color guard. She is on student council and has played a lead role in organizing homecoming activities and as a student representative to the Board of Education. She also leads a Bible study on Friday mornings, is a yearbook editor and mentors freshman.

“I really love helping,” said Sara.

Despite her hectic schedule, Sara has another important job on her mind: She keeps tabs on her younger brother Andrew, a sophomore at West. Andrew was born with severe disabilities and health complications. She loves to see his progress.

“I am sure if it was different, maybe he would get on my nerves,” she said. “…I love seeing him in the hallway.”

Yet it can be a challenge.

“You deal with it day by day,” she said. “My faith helps, too. … My faith is a huge part of my life.”

Sara is a member of Elmbrook Church, and involved with the youth group there. Her faith, plus a lifetime of helping Andrew has fueled her drive to help others, and grown her patience, she said.

Assistant Principal Sharon Thiede said Sara has a natural talent for helping others.

“She is really built with leadership, great at motivating and organizing people,” Thiede said.

Thiede first met Sara over the summer at the high school when Sara was going into her sophomore year. Thiede had just started at the school, also serving as activities director, and needed someone to help out. It was a few weeks into the school year before Thiede realized the girl she had picked was only a sophomore.

“She is a girl that I just connected with right away.” Thiede said. “She ended up being an integral part of planning that homecoming week for us that year. It was early, and I didn’t know students. I would go to her for everything.”

Thiede said that Sara, who has a “positive personality,” has already started showing the ropes to younger students at the school. 

“We talked to her about leadership, so she can pass that torch down,” Thiede said.

That leadership is going to be missed at the school next year. Sara is waiting to hear back about her college applications, but she wants to pursue a degree in youth ministry and communications. Sara’s other younger brother attends Butler Middle School.