North Young Achiever

Allison Neely

Residence: West View

Age: 18

School: She is a senior at North Hills High School.

Family: Parents, John and Chris; a brother, Aaron, 22; a sister, Amanda, 20

Noteworthy: Neely volunteers at a horse therapy ranch near Slippery Rock, which serves youths with mental or physical disabilities. She rides with the youths or walks alongside their horses and helps take care of the horses. She also volunteers in the office of Ross veterinarian Arthur Wirtz of North Allegheny Veterinary Hospital, where she holds animals that are being vaccinated, prepares vaccines and does other duties. That experience, she said, has made her decide to become a veterinarian.

Activities: At her school, Neely serves as the treasurer for Spectrum Literary Magazine and the orchestra. She also is a member of the National Honor Society, Hands for Service, the Environmental Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, the German Club and the Science Club.

Quote: "For veterinarians, your relationships with humans might be as important as dealing with animals."