News 12 at 6 o'clock, February 6, 2008

Time for you to meet our latest Time to Care About Education Award winner. It usually goes to someone who's spent a career helping students. That's why this month's award winner stands out from the rest. We honor a student who has already learned that "giving back" has its own rewards.

Evans High School senior Kaitlyn Frits keeps busy with church, family, tennis, volleyball... and yes, academics keep her busy enough, but that doesn't stop her from giving up her Saturday mornings for "BUGS".

"It stands for bringing up grades on Saturday."

That's right--a high school senior who likes to spend her weekends tutoring middle school students.

Kaitlyn said, "You're just able to go in and hang out with them, do math problems, read a book for the A.R. tests I remember in elementary school."

Kaitlyn's guidance counselor, Nirja Gupta, saw something special in this student and nominated her for an award usually reserved for professionals.

"She comes across as very sincere", Gupta said, "hard working, not just academically doing well. She just seems to be the right kind of person for this award."

The lesson Kaitlyn learned early on is that helping others learn to love learning is one of the best gifts you can give someone.

As Kaitlyn explains, "I've enjoyed it. It might be hard to get a Saturday every Saturday, but I enjoy it because we'd all like to have kids one day."

And now, as Kaitlyn Frits' high school days wind down and she prayerfully considers colleges and careers, she knows she'll always find the time for helping kids.

Congratulations also to Kaitlyn's parents, Mike and Beth Frits, who obviously know how to raise kids.

If you would like to nominate someone for our Time to Care about Education Award, click here.