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KINGSFORD - Kelly Allen of Kingsford, who has overcome the loss of a leg to participate in a variety of sports, has received a prestigious award.

The Kingsford High School junior received the Mark Andrews Rising Star Award Oct. 22 at a banquet in Rochester Hills. Paralympians, activists and sportswriters were also honored.

The Rising Star Award goes to young athletes who demonstrate extraordinary effort, achievement and commitment as an athlete with a disability.

Allen competes in tennis and skiing for Kingsford and in annual extreme sports events for disabled athletes. She has won two gold medals in women's kayaking and a silver in rock climbing.

Earlier this year she received the Gil Heard Courageous Athlete Award from the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.

Allen is also active as a junior counselor and peer mentor at Camp Yes-I-Can, a summer program for young amputees at Bay Cliff Health Camp.

She is also a regular participant in Amputeam activities throughout the state.

In her acceptance speech, she thanked family and friends. "I'd also like to thank all of my coaches and mentors who've treated me with respect and taken the time to help me work around obstacles," she said.

She also thanked Teck Khor of Tek's Martial Arts and her team of prosthetists at Wright and Fillipis in Marquette.

Allen is the granddaughter of Art and Ona Allen of Thompson. Art Allen is a member of the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame and NMU Hall.