• She likes black raspberry chip ice cream. • Her go-to study food is apples and peanut butter. • Her favorite movie is “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” • She likes to spend free-time reading. • Her favorite beverage is Earl Grey hot tea.
GNITE
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things about PAIGE
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The most amazing thing about her is her impact on other people’s lected 60 pints of blood, and she coordinated the whole thing.” lives.” Hignite tries to apply her selfless attitude to everything she
does. Anyone who knows her knows that when she gets involved, she always likes to reach out to people. With RMH, she tries to get people to dedicate two hours a week on Tuesday nights to help those families and children affected by illness. “She’s always willing to involve anyone who wants to be involved,” sophomore Sindi Dlamini said. “She opens the door for other people. She’s a good source to go to for community service.” Hignite also works with USI’s Newman Club chapter once a month to do community service projects and has also started volunteer initiatives within her sorority, Chi Omega. “For her to do service is second nature to her,” Dlamini said. “Other people do it for hours or for a resume, but she does it without wanting anything back.” In addition to the organizations she helps locally, she also volunteers time at a hospital near her Fort Mitchell, Ky., home. “She’s in tune and sensitive to people,” said Cherie Leonhardt, assistant director of the Honors Program. “She’s very kind and considerate but also not afraid to talk about uncomfortable things. It’s not easy to find someone sensitive and compassionate and also able to manage difficult situations. She can handle those situations with grace. She’s a true leader.” Hignite’s passion for giving back will undoubtedly continue as she finishes her degree and when her career blossoms. She hopes to attend graduate school and one day become a speech therapist because she said when people lose the ability to speak, they lose a big part of themselves. “Medicine involves a different type of service,” she said. “Being a part of medicine is a major part of getting people back to where they want to be.” No matter what she ends up doing later in life, Hignite said she always wants to keep service at the center of her work. Whether she gives back as part of her job, stays in contact with RMH or chooses a new volunteer path entirely, there is no doubt she will keep serving. “She’s like a light bulb,” Voegerl said. “She’s full of ideas and wants to see them through.”
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