SANFORD — Catherine Ledue likes setting goals. She likes to have something to work towards, and to be able to look back and see an accomplishment.

That’s one of many reasons she likes running and said she will very likely continue on with the sport once she’s in college.

But college comes in the fall, and there’s much to do between now and then.

This year Ledue is a senior at Sanford High School, and involved in a number of activities, from being vice president of her high school class to vice president of the National Honor Society.

This week, Cat, as she is called, was named a recipient of the Maine Principal’s Award, which is given in recognition of a high school senior’s academic achievement and citizenship.

Ledue was chosen from among several students by Sanford High School faculty, and will be among other York County high school seniors named as recipients by their respective schools. According to the Maine Principal’s Association, each member school names a senior class student as its award recipient. Award winners and their principals are invited to an Honors Luncheon each spring. In all, of those attending, 10 students will be chosen by lottery to receive $1,000 scholarships.

Interviewed Wednesday, Ledue spoke about her school life, her goals and the joy she gets from running.

The daughter of Claire Ledue and Tom Ledue, Cat says she’s ranked as first in her class right now. Principal Marianne Sylvain points out that Ledue has taken six Advanced Placement classes in her high school career .

“That’s pretty remarkable,” said Sylvain.

The National Honor Society is planning a variety show March 24 to benefit the Sophomore Awareness program, and Ledue is leading a raffle of about 30 items. She’s been involved in the environmental club, where the group won a competition between schools for making sure classroom lights were turned out, and in the past, she’s been involved with the civil rights club and the Resisting Sexism and Violence program and Key Club.

She’s tutored young children who have trouble making the transition from kindergarten to first grade.

“It’s rewarding when you can help” the young ones, she said, but she’s not looking to teach as a profession. Instead, she’s interested in majoring in international affairs and global studies, with an eye towards becoming an emergency management specialist ”“ planning solutions, she said, to bigger issues.

She hopes to minor in women’s and gender studies.

And of course, there’s running. She’s captain of the cross country team and has run track for four years.

“You set goals, and you can do so much more than you think you can,” said Ledue of running.

Sort of like life.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.