Local

Senior stars on and off the court

TERRANCE THOMAS, Staff Writer

March 6, 2002 - DENVER — “It was a sharp pain, up and down my back. Sometimes I had to take a break because of the pain but I had to deal with it.”

That what’s East Lincoln senior Wendy Campbell had to go through to play tennis her senior year.

She had back surgery in July to remove two tumors from her spine. Each one was the size of a fifty-cent piece.

But with the tennis season starting in August. Wendy was determined to play. She was the team’s Most Valuable Player as a junior.

“I wasn’t going to let surgery stop me,” she said. “I just had to deal with the pain. I played three years. I wanted to complete my high school career.”

Because of her pain, coach Julie Ortiz felt that it was best for her to play doubles.

So she played doubles. Her partner was her younger sister, Jessica.

The two Campbells played well together and made it to the third round of the conference tournament.

“She came to every practice,” said Ortiz. “She toughed it out and showed she’s a real trooper. She gave pointers to the younger players. She gave advice. She was a big help. Without a doubt, she was a leader.”

Since the season’s end, more medical problems have been discovered.

“There’s a crack in the base of my spine in a different place than the tumors. I still feel pain.”

Medical problems have been a part of Wendy’s life.

She has asthma and allergies. She had mononucleosis.

But things got really serious last year. Wendy had to go through a tremendous amount of pain before doctors discovered the tumors. She had several tests from bone scans, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds.

But the pain didn’t stop her from playing tennis nor did it stop her from getting solid grades and a 4.0 GPA.

She has also been recognized with several academic honors: North Carolina Scholar, Math and Trigonometry-Highest Average Award, the National Honor Roll.

No did the pain stop her from being extremely active in extracurricular activities just as she always been in previous years.

Some of the different activities that Wendy has been involved in during high include: Dream team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Science Club, Students for Jesus, Church Youth Choir, Latin Club, Beta Club Art Club, and Prom Committee.

She’s the school’s vice president.

“She doesn’t just join an activity, she truly becomes a part of it,” said the East Lincoln’s student government advisor and Spanish teacher Chris Mancos. “She’s an active member not someone that does it to add to a list. As vice-president, she’s quiet but very effective. She’s philanthropic and really instrumental.

“As a student, she always does excellent work,” Mancos added. “It’s precise and thorough.”

Giving herself to so many activities is something she learned from one of her role models.

“I like to stay busy,” Wendy said. “My older sister (Kala) was involved so much. I wanted to follow in her footsteps.”

Doing things and doing it well has gained respect.

“I have found Wendy to be a very genuine, intelligent, caring and hard-working young person,” said science teacher Linda Yoder.

After high school, Wendy plans to attend nearby Gardner-Webb and major in math or religion and minor in art.

With so much going on in her life, Wendy still has time for he friends.

“She’s a great true friend,” said Amanda Garcia, who has been a close friend of Wendy’s since eighth grade. “She’s very sweet and kind. She’s also intelligent and athletic.”

With such athletic and academic success, her parents, Mike and Elaine Campbell, are extremely pleased with their middle child.

“She’s incredible,” said her mother. “We’re very proud of her. She works hard and puts others first. She’s just an ideal daughter. I have three ideal daughters She does things around the house to make you feel good.”

Wendy’s motto is “live life to the fullest.”

She’s definitely doing that, pain or no pain.

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East Lincoln student and tennis teammate Stephanie Edwards contributed to this story.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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