Christy Wright

Age: 28

Family: Single

Employer: Lutheran Home

Education: B.S. in Social Work from Southeast Missouri State University

Community Involvement: Coordinated the Benton Neighborday Children's Pageant for eight years; is involved with Benton Chamber of Commerce, the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk, the American Heart Association Heart Walk, St. Denis Catholic Church, American Darters Association and Hi Cot'n Dance Club.

Whether juggling her community activities or the needs of the patients she works with at the Lutheran Home, Christy Wright of Benton, Mo., has distinguished herself.

"Christy stands out as a leader, advocate and mover and shaker," says Susan Essner of the Lutheran Home. "Christy is thorough, assertive and has mastered the art of multi-tasking. She is a good listener and displays tremendous empathy for her clients and their families."

Wright works directly with the Lutheran Home residents and their families, coordinating doctor appointments and keeping loved ones informed of the patients' progress and problems.

She enjoys "all the different people and the variety of things I get to do," she said. "It's not the same thing every day."

Independent and self-sufficient, Wright has learned through renovating her own home by herself that "you can do anything you want; it just takes some trial and error and practice," she said.

Essner noted that Wright has by herself remodeled a bathroom, put in new flooring, installed a door frame and added a closet.

She traveled with her mother and sister to New Zealand and Australia, moving around independently and finding their own way.

"Christy takes life and lives it to the fullest," Essner said. "She is down to earth and puts her whole heart into whatever task she assumes."

Wright says she appreciates the Lutheran Home residents.

"Everybody has a different story and different background," she said. "You can learn a lot from each person. "