Photos by Jason Redmond / Star staff Amelia Mathis laughs with ASB adviser Ben Takeda recently at Buena High School in Ventura. Amelia, a senior, is president of the student body organization. The 17-year-old has been on the honor roll since entering high school. Amelia's "natural abilities to lead and inspire" make her stand out, said Buena High Principal Kyunghae Schwartz.

For 17-year-old Amelia Mathis, leadership comes naturally.

"It's part of my personality," said the ASB president at Buena High School. "Being a leader is important because I love big challenges and helping others out. There are kids younger and older that look up to me. I want them to enjoy everything that they do."

A Ventura resident and senior at Buena High, she plays varsity basketball, runs track and plays club soccer. In 2006, she was named Ventura County Student of the Year by the city of Ventura and has been on the honor roll since entering high school.

Her commitment, enthusiasm, leadership, brilliance and positive attitude make her stand out from others, said Buena High Principal Kyunghae Schwartz.

On campus, Amelia has made a difference with her "natural abilities to lead and inspire," Schwartz said.

It's important for students to have a positive role model like Amelia, Schwartz said, because "youths are more inclined to respond to their own peers. They can easily relate to them and get inspired to step up by their peer role models."

David Guenther, girls' varsity basketball coach, said Amelia's humility underscores the fact that she "never quits, never gets down on herself or anyone else, and works harder than anyone."

"She's an unbelievable athlete who would rather talk positively about anyone other than herself," Guenther said. "She deflects questions about how great she is and wants to know about others."

Amelia is also unique because she walks the talk, Guenther added.

"Amelia lives her life by do as she does,'" he said. "She literally is the poster child for everything right in the world: no drinking, first to show up at practice, the last one to leave. She defines work ethic. She will show up at a moment's notice if you need anything."

Her presence on campus is especially important because "kids today have no direction," Guenther said. "They have no curfews, bad attitudes toward school. Amelia lets you see what can come of being good and working hard for what you want."

Amelia's inspiration came in part from her father, Reece, who died two years ago from a heart attack.

"He pushed and pushed; perfection was something he wanted for all kids to master," she said. "He would always say if you are going to put out an effort, you might as well give 110 percent."

Amelia, who has one sister, age 40, and three brothers, ages 31, 37 and 43, said her mother and siblings taught her a lot as well.

"I learned at a very young age that no matter how hard you try, something positive will always come and reward you," she said.

Through her own efforts to strive for perfection, Amelia began to ask the same of others, "and when they would fail, I would say, It's OK; let's try again.'"

Aside from her campus involvements, Amelia tutors at Juanamaria Elementary School in Ventura, works part time at Logan Osland Chiropractic and is a part-time referee for the Ventura Youth Basketball Association.

"As a ref I try and help them understand the game a little more because, like me, they have a passion," she said.

With a scholarship to UCLA, she has her sights set on becoming a math teacher. This spring, she also will attend the national camp for soccer at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

"That has been one of my dreams also, to be on the national soccer team," she said. "I just wish my dad could be here to see all of my accomplishments."

Amelia possesses qualities that anyone needs to lead a successful life, Schwartz added.

"She is an inspiration to everyone who knows her," Schwartz said. "Her individual determination in pursuit of excellence is incredible."