Sophomore Kelly Hoffman was recently crowned Miss New York National Teenager.

May 1, 2009 - Honor student, actor, dancer, singer and volunteer are just a few of the titles that could describe Kelly Hoffman, a Shaker High School sophomore. Now, she can add another title to the list: Miss New York National Teenager.

Hoffman received the honor recently from the America’s National Teenager Scholarship Organization, which promotes academics, leadership and character in young women. Hoffman’s long list of activities and accomplishments exemplify those qualities, so much so that she was recently honored by the New York State Assembly, both for being named New York National Teenager and for her "determined purpose."

"Kelly Hoffman is a young woman of singular distinction and superlative ability who has established a purposefulness in life rarely achieved in youthful years," read the Assembly’s resolution that honored her.
 

LaFollette Hall Principal Jan Zadoorian described Hoffman as a wonderful example of Shaker students giving back to the community.
 

"We have so many dedicated students, so we’re very proud of Kelly and her commitment to her school and community," he said.
 

What is Hoffman doing to garner such praise? In school, she takes Advanced Placement and honors courses and earned grades good enough for a spot on the High Honor Roll for the third marking period. She performs in school plays, is a member of Key Club and the Broadcasting Club and plans to study broadcast journalism in college.
In her spare time, Hoffman volunteers her time to help others at the Ronald McDonald House in Albany and at the Albany Boys and Girls Club.

The Albany Ronald McDonald House is a place where families from out of town can stay if they have children who need medical treatment at a local hospital. Volunteers help clean the house and do other chores so the families that stay there don’t have to worry about those things. But the family members most appreciate the time that volunteers like Hoffman will spend just talking to them.

"It’s hard for them,” Hoffman said, “because sometimes they’re in and out of the house many times, so I think that talking to someone helps them relieve a little stress," she said.

Hoffman has been acting in school drama productions since she was 7 years old and enjoys performing a great deal. So, she thought the children who attend the Boys and Girls Club would enjoy it as well.
 

"I think the kids will enjoy it," Hoffman said. "It’s really fun to step into someone else’s shoes, and I think it would benefit the kids to come out of their shells."

The title New York National Teenager qualified Hoffman for both college and modeling scholarships, as well as air fare to the national competition, which will be held in Nashville, Tenn., in July.