You won't find her listed in any college scouting reports, but the name Brandi Callen is etched in many people's hearts.

Some might think that in a small community, it's easy to stand out on the court. Make the starting five and area parents will be waving at you at the local Dairy Queen. Hit a winning shot and you're famous.

But even in a small town, not everyone can be an all-star. There will always be players who rarely get a mention in the game write-up, working hard in practice and getting game minutes here and there.

However, some players, like Brandi Callen, still manage to make an impression on those in town.

Callen, a senior at Valley High School in Eden, Idaho, has been on the varsity basketball team for four years. During her junior season she averaged 2.5 points, 1.5 assists., and 3 rebounds per game, as an off-guard. But according to her coach, those stats do little to reflect the quality of play Callen contributes to the team.

"Last year we had a couple of seniors who did a lot of our scoring, so she often came off the bench," says her Head Coach Brian Hardy, noting that Valley High won its district postseason title in 2000. "That was her role, and she accepted it from the beginning and thrived on it. She's probably our best defensive player. I can put her on whoever I think the opponent's scorer is and just tell her to shut that player down.

"She has great natural athletic ability and she's very quick because she runs track, too," continues Hardy. "And she loves playing hard. She'll dive for balls and go up into the stands--whatever it takes to beat the other person. And I know she can come off our bench and give our team a boost, lift us up when we need it and energize the crowd with her hustle. She's just a very unselfish player."

Callen's selflessness is evident off the court as well. In addition to being a three-sport athlete (basketball, volleyball, and track), and a National Honor Society student-athlete, Callen dedicates much of her free time to helping others in her community. Through her church she has participated in several projects benefiting the Worldwide Humanitarian Center.

And at her school, which serves students in grades K-12, Callen serves as a role model to younger students through its Kids Care program. With the group, each month Callen gives lessons to the first and second graders on topics like manners, proper behavior in certain situations, and how to interact with and treat people with illnesses.

Also active in the Future Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), last fall, with the help of two other members, Callen developed a project to assist a local resident suffering from terminal cancer. "As we were deciding what kind of project to do, first we went to the senior citizens' center in our area and met with the head coordinator there," says Callen. "The coordinator gave us some ideas on ways to help the residents, but later we found out that she had been diagnosed with cancer, so we decided to do something to help her out instead. We organized a community yard sale in her benefit and got a lot of items donated. We ended up raising around $600 which we presented to her in a check, and it was really neat to be able to give that to her."

Callen's caring efforts won her and her two friends a national-level silver medal from the FCCLA, and in October 2000, Callen also became one of eight students in Idaho to be honored with the Harry LeMoyne Award--an award presented to eight high school seniors for their service, leadership, academics, and athletic achievements.

But for Brandi Callen, the awards and recognition are a simply a bonus to the satisfaction she feels when she's contributing, both on the court and in her community. "I've learned a lot about giving through my church involvement," she says. "I've always been taught to do things like that. I love to help and serve people, and I love working with little kids because it's so much fun.

"Sometimes it does get really hectic and stressful," she continues. "But I think if I didn't have the work I do in the community in my life, I'd be kind of lost. My academics, athletics, and a social life are a lot to juggle, but in the end I just think about all the things I'm blessed with."

It's that same great attitude that keeps her centered on the court as well, despite not being one of the team's stars. "When I was younger, my dad was very into basketball, so I grew up with it," she says. "When I entered junior high I started playing and I've played ever since, because it's fun and I like being a member of a team. I'm not a starting player, and sometimes it's different to have to sit back. But it's kind of nice not having to be the center of attention. You don't have so much pressure set upon you to be the star.

"I think every person has a place on a team where they can help out, and mine is defense," she continues. "And that's okay with me, because I just love playing basketball."

But according to those around her, Brandi's interest in others is what makes her a true star in her community. "Brandi is a great role model," says Hardy. "It seems she just keeps giving and giving, and our school's really going to miss her next year."

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