There are nearly 8,000 students at UW-Stout.

But in a sea of young faces, one person is truly leaving her mark there.

Her name is Cassy Bourget, and after six years and a number of hurdles, she's just one semester away from earning a business degree.

In many ways, Cassy is your typical 23-year-old senior at UW-Stout.

But in so many ways, she's much, much more than your typical student.

Cassy was involved in a tragic accident back in 1994, one that left her paralyzed on the left side of her body for almost a year.

But she has a remarkable optimism and enthusiasm for sharing her story, to inspire others.

"I was in a coma for eight weeks," Bourget said. "I couldn't talk or walk."

And that's in addition to being diagnosed with Diabetes at age five.

This business major is an avid UW-Stout sports fan, especially when it comes to hockey.

Making yourself stand out as a student at a larger college isn't easy.

But to say Cassy has had an impact on her peers and teachers would be an understatement.

Sophomore Katie Fichter met Cassy last year, living in the same dorm.

The two became fast friends.

"Cassy is the most outgoing person I've ever known in my life," Fichter said. "She's always smiling, always hopping from door to door."

"Cassy is what you strive for in a university," said UW-Stout Professor Bill Kryshak, who's known Cassy for three years. "She went through an extensive learning process, and is going to go out and be a very good employee for a company. Her work ethic, her family commitment. She's a nice person. We are proud to have her as one of our grads."

Cassy will graduate next December.

Next on her list? Writing her autobiography.

In addition to sharing her story with her peers regularly on the UW-Stout campus, Cassy also wrote a poem, which was copyrighted, published and turned into a song.