Beth Flatley
By Sean Sweeney Journal Correspondent

One thing that North Middlesex Regional students - those who are members of the school chapter of the National Honor Society - pride themselves on, is their community service. When senior Beth Flatley wasn't elected to the prestigious organization as a sophomore, she buckled down and made sure she got in as a junior.

"It's pretty competitive to get into National Honor Society," she said recently. "You always have to make sure you have your leadership roles and your service to get in. I had to work harder on my credentials to get in junior year. I volunteered at a CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) camp with little kids, so I was able to show leadership and be a positive role model."

It definitely paid off: the Townsend resident is currently the vice president of the NHS chapter.

"I've always worked very hard in school and I am also very involved in sports and community service. I always try hard - sports do not come that easy to me - but I work hard at them and I lead by example," Beth said.

A member of the North Middlesex field hockey team, Beth said she worked extra hard over the summer to increase her stamina in preparation for the fall season.

"I'm not the most outgoing or outspoken person. I'll think things over and put my two cents in. I push myself and my teammates to get to the next level," she said.

She also helps others go to the next level - by learning how to use computers. Beth volunteers at Atwood Acres, where she teaches senior citizens simple computer know-how.

"We started off with basic Microsoft Word tools, like highlighting and copying and pasting, and then we taught them to go on the Internet and use Google," she said. "I think we may eventually help them set up e-mail accounts. One man told me he wants to buy a computer and a digital camera."

She has already been accepted to three colleges - the University of Rhode Island, the University of Connecticut and Northeastern University. She is still waiting to hear from four other schools before deciding where she wants to go.

Beth plans to study pharmacy, saying she excels in math and science.

"I don't know what to expect, but I believe it'll be a good career and I can do a lot with it," she said.

Beth lives with her parents, Robert and Mary Jo, and younger siblings Pat and Meg. Pat is a sophomore at North Middlesex, while Meg is an eighth grader at Hawthorne Brook.

Obviously, being an older sister means having to be a leader at home. But that doesn't mean she always wanted that job as much as she wanted to get into the National Honor Society.

But suffice to say, she's gotten used to it.

"I always wanted an older brother to even out the brother-sister thing and make it an even number," she said, adding with a grin: "I've gotten used to it because I get the perks of getting the car first and stuff like that."