Teen face: Katie Robbins

Personal: Katie Robbins is a 17-year-old senior at Casa Grande High. She lives in Petaluma with her mom, Lisa, and dad, Ken. The family has an Australian shepherd dog named Sadie and a cat named Pedro.

Just look down: If you ever want to find Katie Robbins in a big crowd, just look down and scan for Ariat cowboy boots. She's well known at school for wearing them nearly every day.

"All my friends joke about me and my boots. I love Ariats and have so many pairs -- all different colors and styles," joked the teen.

She wears boots because she's a dedicated, outdoorsy type who rides, is active in 4-H and raises pygmy goats.

"I've found my niches and know what I really enjoy, and I concentrate on those things," said the teen who also maintains a 4.0 grade-point average.

Plunging in: As co-president of the United Anglers program at her school, she is dedicated to the goals and projects of the school-based fishery and environmental center.

In 1983, the United Anglers adopted a "dead" creek in Petaluma and endeavored to bring it back to life. Students have planted more than 1,200 trees annually to rebuild Adobe Creek's wildlife habitat, raised more than $500,000 and built a state-of-the-art on-campus fish facility.

"It's kind of hard to get into the program with only 20 students accepted each year. But I applied and got in. I like the idea of helping wildlife," she said.

She's been in band all four years, for the past two playing flute her school's Symphonic Band. She also plays piccolo and electric bass guitar in the varsity jazz band.

Her favorite kind of music is country and band classics. Favorite food? Turkey salad sandwiches. Her favorite book is "The Music of the Dolphins."

Her bedroom walls are filled with photos of family and one very special drawing of a castle given to her by a now-deceased uncle.

She'll go to the later movie: Her friends know that the biggest focus of Robbins' life is caring for the pygmy goats she raises to show at 4-H. Her bedroom has 4-H fair ribbons and plaques hanging everywhere. For the past two years, she's done well at the fair, recently garnering an Outstanding Sportsmanship Award and a gleaming belt buckle for her work with the tiny goats.

She can't even go to a movie without factoring in care and feeding times for her goats, several of which she helped deliver.

"My first goats were Geez'Louise and Mort the Moose, and their babies are often little carbon copies of them," she said.

Her goats include: Good Golly Miss Molly, Miss Maybelle, Lola, Poppy, Cracker Jacks and Tiger Lilly. They live in two little barns near Robbins' home.

"They are the main reason I want to go to college nearby. I'd miss them too much if I went away," she said.

College bound: After high school, Robbins will attend Santa Rosa Junior College focusing on agricultural programs.

"I see myself going into animal sciences or marine or wildlife biology."

Inspired by her heroes: She said with so many heroes in her life, it's hard to narrow it down to a few. She gives credit to every 4-H leader for building her confidence and skills. She credits her United Anglers teacher Tom Furrer for opening her eyes to environmental issues. Family friend Jeannette Cardoza Nunn started as a baby sitter and holds a special place as a role model.

"And of course my parents are heroes because they let me try so many different things. They've instilled in my the idea of being totally responsible for your actions. I know if I mess up, it's no one else's fault," she said.

-- Rayne Wolfe