Kasey Smith of Hamlin will appear in "Who's Who Among American High School Students" this school year. It is the second year in a row that the Brockport High senior has received the honor.

Smith's recognition has come at the same time a debilitating disease has curtailed her studies and other school activities.

In November, 1999, Smith began her struggle with a rare disease of the muscles called fibromyelgia. It first appeared as flu symptoms and then pain in the ribs and back. In time the pain would occur in various other parts of her body. With the pain and loss of sleep, she had to drop out of school.

After being out of school for three months, Smith returned and was a part-time student for another three months, still experiencing fatigue and concentration problems. Despite these obstacles, Smith was able to complete her junior year and is on course to graduate with the rest of her senior class.

Smith says her teachers have been helpful in accommodating her special condition. Mary Kay Rosecrants, who teaches English 3, sees tenacity and determination in Smith's character.

"She's trying as hard as she can to keep up," Rosecrants said. "When she misses class, she is in touch with me to get the work for the next class. I think Kasey is doing a fabulous job."

Smith's school and community involvement since ninth grade includes: SADD Club, working on events like Prom Promise and Red Ribbon Week; tutoring students in science and math as a member of Key Club; Drama Club; Concert Band; Marching Band; Choir; Triple Trio; providing respite care for two families with disabled children; and volunteering at the Rochester Auditorium Theater as an usher. Smith also works part time as a cashier at Wegmans.

Besides graduating with her classmates, Smith has been able to surmount the obstacles to her long-time career plans.

"Since the fourth grade I've had lofty goals of attending a large university, in a big city, studying vocal performance. In one day all of my goals and dreams shattered around me," Smith says about the onset of the disease that ended her vocal lessons and stage activity.

Smith has been able to redirect her career goals. She now plans to major in music therapy in one of four different colleges she has already visited. She will study the use of music to promote relaxation and body movement in people with physical and mental disabilities. "I want to keep music in my life as a career. And I want to help people in some way," Smith says.

This year Smith still struggles with some concentration problems. She is confident she will be able to adapt to college. She says, "I may have to take fewer courses each semester to allow me to keep the fibromyelgia under control, but I am not going to let this illness beat me."