MIDDLESEX TWP — Sasha Mathews' large family and penchant for event planning have propelled her to the political top at Mars High School.

Mathews, a senior at the school, has been president of the Class of 2011 for all four years of her high school career. The petite president has completed many tasks and coordinated events over that time, but a singular event caused her to run for office.

“I have been planning our prom all four years of high school,” said Mathews.

Mathews' face lights up at the mere mention of the dance that culminates all 13 years of public school. Mathews said she has her date lined up, and is looking at gowns online.

She reports that Mars' 2011 prom will be held on May 13 at Heinz Field, then seniors and their dates will enjoy after prom upon one of Pittsburgh's three rivers aboard the Gateway Clipper. The evening's theme will be “Night at the Oscars.”

Mathews said she also ran for office to use the organization and event planning skills she acquired from her mother, Patti. She said the two of them often plan holidays and other events for their large extended family.

“I like to be in charge of things,” said Mathews.

That ambition also is displayed in Mathews' work ethic. In addition to her schoolwork and membership in the National Honor Society and student council, she works two part-time jobs.

Mathews works at Kings Restaurant in Gibsonia and as an assistant at Gillis Family Chiropractic in Mars. The latter job has afforded her the opportunity to work in the field she hopes to pursue after high school.

Mathews plans to study nutrition after high school, then she hopes to attend medical school. Her ultimate goal is to become a naturopathic doctor.

“They try natural remedies before using traditional drugs and surgery,” said Mathews.

A medical mission trip to Honduras with her church, Bakerstown Presbyterian, last February opened Mathews' eyes to the suffering of those living in third-world countries.

Doctors, dentists, chiropractors, nurses and physical therapy specialists made the trip to Honduras.

Mathews, whose mother also made the trip, assisted a dentist from the church who performed much-needed work on the poverty-stricken Hondurans the group encountered.

“I helped pull teeth and do stitches,” Mathews said. “I also worked with a medical doctor and gave shots.”

She said speaking Spanish to the patients also helped increase her fluency in that language, which she is studying at Mars.

But Mathews was most affected by the danger lurking just outside the compound where the missionary group stayed.

“It just makes you happy that you're pretty safe (in the United States),” said Mathews. “We're so lucky here.”

Once back home, Mathews resumed her normal activities, which include snowmobiling in the winter and cycling in the summer.

For fun, Mathews goes to dinner and the movies with her friends.

Asked what she has learned from her life that will help her in the future, Mathews points to her stint as class president.

“You have to learn to let criticism go and not take it personally,” she said.

<B>Age: </B>18<B>Address: </B>Middlesex Township<B>Family: </B>Parents, William Mathews Jr. and Patti Mathews; brother Grant<B>Education: </B>Senior at Mars High School<B>Employment: </B>Gillis Family Chiropractic in Mars and Kings Restaurant in Gibsonia.<B>Interests: </B>National Honor Society, student council<B>Quote: </B>“You have to learn to let criticism go and not take it personally.”