ABINGTON, Mass. -- Each week, NewsCenter 5 presents a high school senior who has taken the lessons of the classroom and applied them to life.

This week's A Plus student is Abington High School's Katie Dwyer.

NewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported that Dwyer is class president, holds a part-time job, cares for her father and brother and is No. 15 in her academic class.

Dwyer has been an effective class president for the past three years at Abington High School.

"It's really changed the way we do things around here," principal Teresa Sullivan said. "We've been able to, under Katie's leadership, kids have really been the facilitators, the leaders. They've driven policy change and assemblies and programs and activities.

"I just love getting involved. I'm just someone who I can't really sit on the sidelines. I always have to be doing something it involves, so, I really like helping the class and making sure that everyone's opinions are heard," Dwyer said.

The oldest of three children, Dwyer is a leader at home as well. She lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 3, and then seven years later, her father was diagnosed with leukemia. Through it all, Dwyer stayed positive and even took on more household responsibilities, including caring for her brothers.

"She is a very positive person. She kind of just radiates compassion and kindness," Sullivan said.

Dwyer plans to pursue a career in nursing.

"I want to be able to give other families what my family has been given. And my dad's still here, and healthy and he's doing awesome, so I want to be able to do that for people, too," Dwyer said.

In the meantime, Katie finds other ways to give. She and her family are actively involved in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. They've already raised close to $30,000.

"It's just a really good feeling to see all the cancer survivors there and honoring the people who have passed," Dwyer said.

If you know a special student who truly makes a difference in his or her classroom, please e-mail us your nomination. Please include your phone number.