AIKEN --- Erika Newman's infectious smile hits the door first. She has a quiet confidence but she's not one to brag.

The Silver Bluff High School senior, who will be in Aiken Technical College's medical assistant program next year, found out Monday she had received $10,000 in scholarships.

While athletes and academic whiz kids stand out in high school, Ms. Newman has teachers fighting over her just because she's a gracious person.

"She's one of those kids that you want to clone," said Cathy Neal, student services director.

While Ms. Newman has some difficulty getting to her locker and maneuvering the two main hallways at Silver Bluff in her wheelchair, she's never one to complain, Ms. Neal said. Ms. Newman has spina bifida, an incomplete spinal cord. It is a common birth defect.

"I usually leave class about five minutes early to get everything done," she said, "but it's not really that big of a problem."

Over the past four years, Ms. Newman has been involved in the community through several school clubs and decided she wanted to work as a medical assistant in a hospital. Although her wheelchair limits her mobility, she found that office work gave her a chance to interact with the public and still help those with medical needs.

Last summer she worked the front office at Silver Bluff High School, and her work with the Key Club allowed her to organize charity events.

"I always figure I'd rather show the positive rather than the negative," she said.

As one of five children, she also likes to set a good example for her younger sisters.

"I have a good family life, and I try to help them with their homework and just try to be a good role model for them."

Before starting school in the fall, she hopes to get her driver's license. She's practicing parallel parking with hand controls and working toward equipping a car that fits her needs.

Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106, or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.