Sarah Livingston walks around the Santa Fe High School campus with gold headphones, platinum blonde hair, bright fluorescent tops, and bell bottom jeans that completely cloak and eliminate her natural shortness. Sarah doesn't need clothes to stand out, though, and recently she received the Melissa Engestrom Youth Artist Award to prove it.

"My first acting experience was doing a Crest commercial," Sarah exuberantly admitted. "They had me do big smiles for an advertisement." Since the commercial, Sarah has only grown in her acting skills, adding dancing and singing to her repertoire. She has been involved in several productions with the Eldorado Children's Theater, and is an invaluable member to the theater program at Santa Fe High.

"I danced with the Charisma Dance Company for 10 years," Sarah said of her artistic commitment even in her childhood. Sarah not only danced with the company. She also sang solos onstage.

Sarah is not only an advocate for the arts, but is one for the community as well. "I'm the social activist president for my youth group," Sarah said about her involvement in the Temple Beth Shalom-based youth group. Last year, the group raised more than $4,000. "We do things like collecting nonperishable foods and deliver them to people that need them."

The group's projects are not solely local — they have raised funds for malaria prevention in Africa, aide for India's orphans and contributions for global sustainability.

Sarah's dedication is not dwindling. As a senior, college is definite in her future plans. She's hoping to go to New York and attend an arts school. She recently wrapped up work with Santa Fe High's Halloween production The Seventh Event. Ironically, she plays a girl who doesn't talk for most of the play. Sarah is a girl that is anything but silent. Her schedule includes juggling rehearsals, school, Amnesty International meetings, thespian club meetings and her youth group.

The Melissa Engestrom Youth Artist Award is given by Mayor David Coss and the City of Santa Fe Arts Commission.

"This year's winners show a deep love and commitment to the arts and their community through their devotion to artistic excellence and achievement in Santa Fe," Coss said. Sarah is the epitome of a devoted artist, plain for any audience member or passer by to see.

Lucy Ohlsen is a junior at Santa Fe High School. You can reach her at limefreak44@cybermesa.com.