If there's one word that sums up Essex Aggie senior Julianna DeGenova, it is dedication.

Whether it's on the soccer field, basketball court or softball diamond, or simply putting in the extra effort to learn about her favorite book, DeGenova sees all her endeavors through to the end.

North Shore Tech's nominee for the Salem News Student-Athlete Award (Essex Aggie and North Shore Tech combine their sports programs) has been team captain of the soccer and basketball teams. She earned academic honors in each of her four years and is ranked 41st in her senior class.

During her sophomore year, she spent two hours a week with an English teacher learning about her favorite book, "The Book Thief", finding time to better herself and expand her horizons despite a full schedule of sports and extracurriculars.

"Julie has inspired me to make time for what is important and keep going even when the task seems impossible," Essex Aggie English teacher Monica Rose Roy wrote. "She is a rare and precious individual, someone who is the type of person I would like to be."

In the classroom, DeGenova has tackled an Advanced Placement European History course and earned a stop in Essex Aggie's competitive environmental science program. She's hoping to study marine biology in college and carry that over into a career in that field.

A Georgetown native, DeGenova has also given back to the youngsters in her community by teaching Bible school at New Life Community Church and working as a referee for youth basketball.

A four-year member of the Tech soccer team, DeGenova helped the squad qualify for the MIAA playoffs three times.

The most meaningful athletic award for DeGenova, however, was a Title 9 Women's Athletic Award she received in 2011. The award not only recognized her achievements on the field, court and diamond, but also how far women have come in athletics over the last 40 years.