Student Profile
Name: Ashley Bjorklund
School: Eighth-grader at Egan Intermediate School, where all but one of her nine brothers and sisters attended.
Interests: Ashley said sports take priority over practically every other activity. She participated in every school sport last year - basketball, softball, track and volleyball - in addition to playing on the Vision volleyball team, which accepts members from throughout the Peninsula.
Ashley said volleyball is her favorite sport. She has traveled to New Orleans, Denver, Dallas and Los Angeles to play tournaments with the Vision.
Her team ranked fourth in the nation last year, she said.
"It's hard because sometimes my schedule conflicts with school, but I like traveling. It's fun," she said.
The Los Altos Hills resident also plays saxophone.
Ashley said Spanish and English are her favorite classes.
"My dad is a mathematician so everyone expects me to like math, but I don't like it very much. I'm not very good at it," she said.
School highlights: Teammates voted Ashley the most inspirational member of her track and softball teams last year. She was also named most valuable player on the Vision volleyball team.
She served as co-president of the student council last semester, during which time she helped to distribute a $300 donation to a classmate who was having a heart transplant.
Philosophy: Ashley's philosophy on the playing field, where she spends most of her time, is "to have fun.
"I don't think you should be too serious in school sports. If you're having fun, you normally play better," she said.
Plans: Ashley plans to attend Los Altos High School next year. She is already preparing for a spot on the school's volleyball team with private lessons this year.
"I'm really looking forward to it," she said about playing on the school team.
When asked what career she might pursue, Ashley said,
"I don't know. There's so much to try."
She has her sights set on attending Stanford University or Long Beach State University.