"Always give someone a smile. You never know when you'll need it in return."
Whitney Buesgens makes people smile even though they're facing some of life's most difficult situations.
Whitney has volunteered more than half of her life at Our House Hospice of Murray County. This 14-year-old talks with people who are facing death. She reads to them and offers comfort.
"Even when they're dying, they're happy to see me," Whitney says. "Nobody likes death. They're all scared of it. But I'm not afraid. I'm the kid in the room who listens to them."
Whitney credits her grandparents for helping her develop such a mature outlook on life at such a young age.
When not volunteering, Whitney enjoys playing basketball, water skiing and boarding, cross-country running, and fishing.
Whitney has designated $1100 to be divided between Our House Hospice of Murray County and Whitney Staples Buesgens