Special student honored at Lakers game

Emily Werman When Emily Werman stepped out onto the Staples Center basketball court during halftime at a recent Lakers game, she wasn't there to shoot hoops. Emily was to be named one of the Lakers Students of the Month, along with two other students and three teachers from the Los Angeles area.

Emily, 14, who lives in Agoura Hills and attends ninth grade at Village Glen School in Sherman Oaks, was nominated for the award by her former teacher, Karine Drury, for her accomplishments.

"Emily has a big heart," Drury said. "She's very involved in her community. Despite her busy schedule (school and tennis), she finds the time to help out others more challenged than herself. She always volunteers to help friends, especially with math, where she excels, and would stand up to anyone trying to bully someone less able or weaker.

"Despite her challenges, Emily came in (to class) every day, full of energy, and was ready to tackle whatever life threw her way," Drury said.

Marcie Werman, Emily's mother, listed just some of her daughter's accomplishments which include the Presidential Math Award and the Presidential National Fitness Award. Emily is a ranked tennis player in the Southern California Tennis Association and in the Girls 14s singles and plays on the varsity and JV basketball teams at her school. She's also a ranked chess player in the US Chess Federation and is reigning chess champion for middle and high school at Village Glen, which means she beat the teachers at the school as well as the other students.

In addition to her school and athletic involvement, Emily volunteers for The Friendship Circle, an organization that pairs special needs kids with peer volunteers in the community. Emily and her brother Charlie, 13, both work with kids at the Friendship Circle in the gymnastics program, the Miracle Sports League and Sunday Circle.

Sponsored by Staples, the Student and Teacher of the Month program accepts nominations of individuals from schools in the Los Angeles area. Winners are invited to a Lakers home game where they are called down to the court and publicly recognized for their academic and athletic accomplishments as well as community service. Emily's big day was one Sunday in December when her parents were asked to bring her to the Lakers game at Staples Center. "We didn't even know her teacher had nominated her," said Emily's mom.

"I wish the world had more Emilys in it," her former teacher said. "It would be a better place."

For more information about the Lakers' student of the month program, visit www.nba.com/ lakers/community/ 0708studentteacher.