ALF Showcase
Our People
Lauren Cole -- Sometimes the youngest among us exemplifies the aspiration and commitment to personal growth and community citizenship that makes us proud of our traditions. Twenty two year old Lauren Cole was such a person, and her community currently celebrates her remarkable life and mourns her untimely death in a recent one car accident.
In high school, Lauren was a leader in academics, sports, and community service. In academics: received the "All Academic Award," recipient of Teacher’s Choice Award, Editor-in-Chief of the School Newspaper. In sports: captain of the Girls’ Basketball Team, Tennessee High Lady Vikings all-time record holder, and recipient of the "Heart of the Team" award and the "Paul Cook" award for sportsmanship. In school and city community service: Beta Club Honor Society, Secretary of Anchor Club Community Service Organization, Senior Court, TV Broadcasting Club, and Business Professionals of America.
Continuing on to college and East Tennessee State University, Lauren chose an academic over athletic scholarship and continued to build her academic and community service legacy. In academics: Honor Student and Dean’s List, Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, and an ETSU Student-Faculty Collaborative Research Grant. In community service: Certified Woodland Firefighter and Emergency First Aid, the Initiative for Clean Energy, Vice-President of Students in Free Enterprise at Northeast State, volunteer in the Boys and Girls Club and in the Tennessee Parks and Recreation program.
At the tree planting ceremony, a school official spoke and said, "I remember Lauren always with a smile. She was forever optimistic and loyal to her family and friends. She would be the student who wanted to help the slow, the weak, the uncared for, or the forgotten. She didn’t care what others thought, she didn’t care what was popular, Lauren did what was right and what wouldn’t hurt anyone else. She was forgiving and kind."
Some have commented that "Lauren touched the lives of many people, young and old." Lauren was a registered tissue and organ donor and in her passing has saved and/or improved the lives of 20-30 children and adults. Someone can now see, and others will live, because of Lauren’s gifts.