Ashlyn Tillitson’s passion for community service was something she discovered long before she entered high school.

Since she was 10 years old, Ness City's Tillitson has been a fixture at all sorts of recreation activities for her community. 

“In the small town that we live in, I’ve always wanted to be there for our community, and I like participating in all sorts of things,” Tillitson said. “And the fact that my mom (Stephanie Rebel) is the rec director, I have plenty of opportunities to help out. 

“(As a kid) it was just kind of fun that I was helping my mom. Now, I get to help out and coach tiny tot tee-ballers, and when they finally learn their swing or when they finally learn how to catch a ball, seeing how excited they are, it’s a reward in itself.”

Tillitson’s volunteer work also includes helping coach turbo javelin for the Ness City youth track program that recently launched. 

“Again, it’s so much fun to show these kids how to do these things and then see them completely perfect it and work so hard for it,” said Tillitson, the Capitol Federal®  True Blue® Student of the Week. “It’s so awesome.”

Tillitson became a lifeguard at the newly re-opened Ness City pool and also works at the local nursing home. 

The senior balances it all with a jam-packed school schedule that includes being a three-sport athlete while serving in Future Farmers of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society. Her junior year, she took over as president of the school’s Kansas Association for Youth club.

“Ashlyn stepped up and took over a lot of KAY projects, from taking cookies and hot cocoa to the elementary students to giving a speech at the American Legion for Veterans Day,” Ness City athletic director Lyn Bernbeck said. “She is a doer, one who will take action and get it done, rather than just talk about it. I appreciate that she leads by example. She gives it her all, it doesn't matter if it's sports or other activities. She is a Ness City Eagle: she is out for everything and I can count on her. She has even filled in on the scholars bowl team.”

Ashley Klozenbucher, an agricultural science teacher who also helps manage the Ness City pool, said Tillitson’s help at the pool has been invaluable. 

“With there being a new pool in the community, we were on the search for reliable leaders for lifeguard positions,” Klozenbucher said. “Ashlyn stepped up and worked many hours a week including going above getting her lifeguard certification, but also getting her water safety instructor certification which allows her to teach Red Cross certified lessons.

“Each week she worked at least 36 hours, if not more, coming in on days off to help out at any point we needed. She was a great addition to our new community pool this past summer.”

Tillitson earned all-league volleyball honors last fall and currently plays basketball for the Eagles. 

“Her leadership skills are evident to me every day, both in practices and in games,” Ness City girls’ basketball coach Barry Schwien said. “She is hard-working and always motivates others to be their best as well.”

Tillitson used to participate in track and field but was forced to give up that sport due to recurring injuries. 

“I have really bad ankles and knees,” Tillitson said. “Triple jump, and constantly jumping on one foot so hard, my ankles are so weak. I have real bad crunching when I walk. It just got to the point where it was constant pain.”

She decided to add golf to her plate instead, enjoying the chance to participate with her friends.

Tillitson said she was hooked on KAY immediately and enjoyed the opportunity to start leading the program last year. 

“My freshman year, I thought KAY was a super cool organization,” Tillitson said. “Even my freshman year, I wanted to be president of it. So I was active as I could possibly be, and then when I had the opportunity last year to be president, I stepped right up. 

“I’ve been trying pretty hard to keep our school spirit up, with the help of my board members, of course. It’s a really cool thing to be a part of, especially when we get to involve the whole school and not just our organization.”

The Ness City community holds a special place in Tillitson’s heart. 

“If anybody in our community is in need, there’s so many people – more people than you can count on your hands – that will step up and help a family out,” Tillitson said. “It’s amazing how many people will cooperate and do anything they can to help somebody.”

Tillitson has already started pursuing her career path -- pediatric nursing. 

“I’ve wanted to be a pediatrician for a really long time,” she added. “And then after seeing my grandpa in the hospital my sophomore year … he had a quintuple bypass surgery, and we were really worried about him. Seeing the way the ICU nurses were working with him and how comforting they were to us, I wanted to do that for somebody else.”

“I started CNA last summer, and working at the nursing home is super rewarding. I love working there.”

Tillitson said her favorite high school memories include her development on the volleyball court and bonding with her classmates. 

“My freshman year, one of my favorite memories was when my high school volleyball coach, Karen Seib, gave me a chance to be on varsity. It just kind of built that passion in me,” Tillitson said. 

“At the school, everybody knows everybody, and I never feel like I’m completely alone.” 

Tillitson, who will head to Fort Hays State University for nursing, admitted having a touch of senioritis but said she’s enjoying her last few months of high school. 

“I’m really soaking up my time with my friends, spending time with them and seeing them every day in school,” Tillitson said. “I’m definitely going to miss it next year, not having them all around.”