Like many high school students, Olivia Lessard spent her senior year at El Camino Fundamental High School in Sacramento, Calif., involved in almost any activity available to her. Whether it was planning school activities or helping within her own community in Sacramento, to say Olivia has kept her schedule busy is an understatement.

From spending time writing for the school newspaper to planning school events while on student government, she still managed to spend time tutoring an eighth-grade girl with learning disabilities, assisting special needs children and earning straight A's on her report card.

Olivia, of the Eastern Avenue Ward, Sacramento California East Stake, not only spent time planning and carrying out activities at school, she also gave time contributing to projects and events in an effort to serve people throughout her community.

Whether it was helping teach in a fifth-grade class, working on the upkeep of a local elementary school, organizing blood drives, organizing school supply drives for students in Africa, donating her hair to Locks of Love (a charity that gives hair to cancer survivors) or helping raise close to $25,000 for another charity, Olivia found the time to give on top of school work and working part-time for an accounting firm.

Olivia was able to juggle all of her activities — despite her limitations.

In 2005, Olivia was diagnosed with a form of hemolytic anemia, which is anemia due to hemolysis, the abnormal breakdown of red blood cells. With this health problem, the past four years have meant on top of all of her extra-curricular activities, Olivia has frequented the doctor's office and experienced dozens of blood transfusions, various tests and many experimental treatments.

Despite all the medical problems facing her, she still has managed to maintain a good attitude.

"I could never have contained her," Noel Lessard, Olivia's mother said. "She did all this despite her health condition. She always wanted to serve."

Olivia's strong desire to serve, and a very determined work ethic, continues with each phase of her life. Olivia is determined to continue working hard — despite difficult obstacles — as she attends college this fall with a Thomas S. Monson Presidential Scholarship at BYU.

Because of her leadership, personal character and academic excellence, Olivia has not only benefitted people around her, she has helped people she doesn't even know throughout the world.

— John Ubaldi, Ashton Park Ward, Sacramento California East Stake.