This year’s prep elite have got it all, and thanks to social media like Facebook and Twitter, everybody knows it. Here’s a peek, instant update-style, into their busy schedules and just what a typical day in the life of three elite high school students entails.
Summer Johnson
Wayzata High School ’13
Involved in track, basketball, soccer, Link leader, Sunday school at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Plymouth Library volunteers
Works at basketball camps in Wayzata during the summer
Lives in Plymouth, MN
I’m in bed, dreaming of days when I have more free time to pursue all of my interests. “I really love taking photographs,” Summer Johnson says. “I also love to travel because [I enjoy] trying new things, learning about different cultures and seeing sights that are mind-blowing.”
Posted at Midnight
Starting homework for AP and honors classes. “I am planning to go to college based on my academic goals, and if a sport comes along with that, then that would be wonderful. My main goal [this year] really is just to get into a college of my choice so the rest of the year will be stress-free,” she says.
Posted at 9 p.m.
A quick bite of Goldfish crackers before I hit the showers.
Posted at 8:15 p.m.
Picking up friends Marika Kelly, Mara Dougherty and Erika Grinde for soccer practice. “I started soccer before kindergarten, and started running on the track team in seventh grade,” Johnson says. “The whole team is like my family and the success we have been having [state runs her sophomore and junior years, championship winners last year] makes the whole soccer experience much more enjoyable.”
Posted at 6 p.m.
Track practice, then home for early dinner.
Posted at 2:20 p.m.
Having lunch and then going to chemistry. School’s almost out for the day!
Posted at 12:15 p.m.
Loving my AP lit [class] today. “I love reading but I just don’t really have much free time to read on my own,” Johnson says, adding that she enjoys reading for homework every night.
Posted at 10:35 a.m.
In my favorite class: AP U.S. history. “I feel like I learn the most in these history classes,” says Johnson. “I enjoy it because [I’m] always learning new things.”
Posted at 9 a.m.
At my Link meeting and talking with Bryn Balls-Barker, Erika Grinde, Elizabeth Moy and Margaret Rocca, then starting leadership to train/coach/mentor freshman during first block.
Posted at 7 a.m.
Yawn—time to get ready for the day.
Posted at 6:20 a.m.
Eric Udelhoven
Armstrong High School ’13
Involved in golf, hockey, soccer, Relay For Life, Feed My Starving Children, link crew
Works as a soccer referee for summer club teams
Hopes to study engineering at a Midwest university
Lives in Plymouth, MN
Current classes: AP physics, AP calculus, AP macro economics and AP government
Bed, thinking about tomorrow’s busy day. “I have a calendar on my phone where I track my activities. I typically know what’s going on for the week and am able to plan things out, like schedule changes and assignments, as they come up,” says Eric Udelhoven. “There are nights when I have a sporting event, and I have to stay up all night to complete a project or paper. Sometimes it’s not easy, [but] you have to make sacrifices.”
Posted at 11:30 p.m.
Home from my soccer game. Doing some homework then weight-lifting in the basement before bed. Can I squeeze in a quick match of FIFA Soccer [on the Xbox]?
Posted at 9:30 p.m.
Family dinner! Getting my ESPN fix and TIVO shows America’s Got Talent and Falling Skies with Dad.
Posted at 6:05 p.m.
Practice, practice, practice: It would be great if I could play soccer in college, but getting into the right school is my first priority.
Posted at 2:30 p.m.
Leaving school early! “I have early release,” he says, explaining that this would be his study-hall period if he stayed on campus.
Posted at 1:20 p.m.
Two classes left in the day: AP composition and world history. “AP comp is my favorite between the two,” he says. “I learn things such as writing style and context.”
Posted at 11:30 p.m.
Lunch! If I could have my favorite meal, steak on the barbecue sure would be nice. I’m starving. “I usually eat on campus,” he says.
Posted at 10:53 a.m.
Time for [gym and pre-calc]. “My favorite subject is AP chemistry,” he says. “I’ve always really enjoyed the sciences, and chemistry is fun, challenging and hands-on in our labs.”
Posted at 8:18 a.m.
At school, getting ready for my first class. Maintaining my high GPA and improving my class rank are high on my priority list this year. “I also look to succeed further in sports and get more involved in the school activities,” Udelhoven says.
Posted at 6:45 a.m.
Shower, then “big breakfast” [eggs, hashbrowns, waffles and fruit]. Gotta finish homework from last night.
Posted at 5:45 a.m.
Laura Clark
Providence Academy ’13
Involved in National Honor Society, varsity volleyball, theater, Belle Canta, tutoring
Works at various families’ homes as a babysitter
Hopes to study abroad in college and pursue a love of traveling
Lives in Plymouth, MN
Volleyball’s over, so I’m finally home for the night. Lights out, and ready to do it all over again tomorrow.
Posted at 11 p.m.
Wednesday night church! “Outside of my extracurriculars and school, the two most important things to me are my family and my faith,” Lauren Clark says. “Whether it’s going to church every Wednesday or doing community service work, it’s something I’m passionate about and take very seriously.”
Posted at 6:30 p.m.
Volleyball practice with my team. “Out of all of my activities, volleyball is my favorite. I love competing, not necessarily with other teams, but with myself. In my eyes, there is always room for improvement, so I see it as a personal test every time I step out on the court,” Clark says. “I’ve learned so much about myself from volleyball.”
Posted at 3:30 p.m.
Singing my heart out. “Belle Canta is a student-founded and student-run high school ladies choir. We meet twice a week before or after school and have gotten to sing at the Basilica of St. Mary’s in Minneapolis as well as school concerts and Mass at school.”
Posted at 3 p.m.
Activity period; gonna win The House Cup this year! “This hour each day offers students the chance to play intramurals, seasonal activities, study or compete with other “houses” or homeroom groups made up of girls or boys in grades nine–12,” she says.
Posted at 2:25 p.m.
One more class until lunch: “I’ve never taken a journalism class before, so I’m excited to pursue my interest in writing. I can’t wait to see where it takes me,” she says.
Posted at 12:10 p.m.
Ready for three more classes: Spanish V, senior English seminar and journalism. “My favorite subject is history, especially the Ancient History class I took freshman year, although I enjoyed my U.S. history class junior year,” Clark says.
Posted at 9:25 a.m.
Listening to the daily announcements, prayer and pledge in advanced biology.
Posted at 8:30 a.m.
Getting ready, then leaving for school with my siblings Kate, 15, Marcus, 14 and Thomas, 12 (Lou, 19, attends Carnegie Melon University). “I like how my dad puts it when he says we’re a team: We always look out for one another, and when one person falls we’re all there to pick him or her back up,” she says.
Posted at 7 a.m.
Rise and shine! Up early to finish homework and study.
Posted at 6 a.m.
