Kamara Hoppe

Women's history has been a struggle to remove obstacles, and maybe we're getting close to that goal.

As a senior at Green Forest High School, Kamara Hoppe thinks she can do just about anything. She has good reason to think so--she's excelled in so many areas already.

In November, she earned all-state honors as her team won the state championship in cross country, the first year Green Forest has had that program.

Cross-country attracts only the most disciplined athletes. Kamara described an intimidating training program, with running at 6:15 a.m., more running after school, and grueling meets running three miles. Only a handful of spectators show up to cheer on the runners. "It's hard work, and I love the sport, but winning is the payoff," she said.

Winning at the state level definitely made all the hard work worthwhile for Kamara. "It was an amazing feeling to be with my teammates and accomplish such a goal."

Kamara has been part of a highly successful Lady Tiger track team since junior high, but as a sprinter and hurdler, so she faced a real transition to distance running.

She just finished her last season as point guard on the basketball team. "I'm very competitive," she said, and that applies in the classroom, too. Kamara will graduate among the top ten Tigers academically.

As she started naming off some of her other extracurricular activities, she had to sum up a long list. "I'm very involved with my community, and I like to be part of everything." She also enjoys hiking, canoeing, fishing, or "almost any outdoor activity."

Kamara has lived her whole life here. She described her family as "close-knit, and very supportive."

She has learned a sense of "how far women have come" from her mother, and said, "My mom has taught me a lot about life in general. She has encouraged me to be independent, and take every opportunity at hand."

This self-described "all-around girl" said she is passionate about helping others, even in her choice of summer jobs. She worked as a lifeguard in Berryville, and gave swimming lessons. She's a blood donor, and active in several service clubs.

The Volunteen program at St. John's Hospital--Berryville was a great opportunity for her to help at the hospital while getting a head start on a future medical career. Right now, she would like to become a pediatrician, but her options are still open.

Her peers voted Kamara as football Homecoming Queen in September. She said she doesn't seek the spotlight, but she felt comfortable as the center of attention. She even feels comfortable speaking in public, which most people fear. "A lot of people have trouble just being themselves," she guessed.

Kamara has a good sense of the challenges women have faced in the name of equality, and she said, "Every woman is an inspiration to me." 

With a bright future beckoning, she doesn't expect anything to be handed to her, but she said simply, "I don't think I have any limitations. There's nothing holding me back."