Fresno High School valedictorian leaving behind a lasting impression

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Fresno High School senior, whose dedication to academics is just as important as it is to family, is picking up her diploma on Tuesday.

Katherine Lor kept herself busy all through high school buried in her books and as an athlete -- serving as a member of the school's badminton and volleyball teams. The teenager says being involved allowed her to form a network of friends. Plus she didn't want to miss out on any opportunities.

Lor's drive all stems from a health scare about eight years ago. Her sister's cancer diagnosis kept her parents out of the house for some time.

"Going through that I had to raise my siblings, helped cook, clean, make sure they were in bed, make sure they went to school, took on role of a mother," said Lor.

That experience and seeing her sister and other young patients suffer is the reason behind her desire to pursue a career in medicine.

Of the six schools she applied to, she chose to become a Bulldog and will be attending Fresno State in the fall. As a model student and valedictorian, she's leaving behind a lasting impression once she picks up her diploma.