Maria Tripp
West Lutheran High School
- Junior class vice president
- Student Council vice president
- National Honor Society
- Children’s Theatre cast
- Concert Choir
- Yearbook Club
- Basketball
- Softball
- Volleyball
What do you
like best about West Lutheran HS?
Christian education; small class sizes; good relationships
with the teachers; many choices of extracurriculars.
A fond
memory?
One that sticks out is the [volleyball team’s] annual Dig
Pink fundraiser. There is always a large crowd and everyone is wearing pink to
support finding a cure for breast cancer. It’s so much fun to play when you know
you’re doing it for a good cause.
You’re a
three-season athlete. How have sports contributed to your life?
Sports have made me stronger mentally and physically [and
taught me] patience and teamwork. Life gets even harder as you go on, you need
to have patience. When you get into the work force, you need to know how to
work with a team.
Does music
play a big part in your life?
I love to sing. I am constantly singing - in the car, the
shower… I listen to my iPod when I do my homework. It brings me joy because
everyone around the world can come together through music.
Favorite
type of music?
Oldies from the 70s and 80s – the [music] I listened to with
my dad and mom. I [also] like learning to play popular songs of the day [on the
piano] by watching YouTube videos.
Highlights
from your volunteering experience?
Feed My Starving Children is a lot of fun. At the end of the
two hours, the instructor tells you how many children you fed and that is
really inspirational (it’s usually in the hundreds). I also volunteered at
Gianna Home in the summer of 2014. I mostly played piano and read magazines
with [the residents]. It was so rewarding to see their smiling faces. They
taught me that no matter your condition, you should do the things that make you
happy.
Career
plans?
Helping people in some way or another, whether as a teacher
or something in the medical field.
How would
you spend two extra hours?
With my family.
Nicholas Tawil
Providence Academy
- Symphonic, Jazz, Pep and Musical Theatre bands
- High School Choir
- Chamber Choir
- Choir and Brimstone (male acapella group)
- Tennis
- Football
What do you like best about Providence?
[Since] it’s a smaller school, [I have] the opportunity to bond with those I care about. [Many of] the teachers are what I would want my friends to be like if I were 20, 25 years older.
What’s your typical schedule?
Chamber Choir at 7:45 a.m., school until 3:15 p.m., [tennis or football] practice right after, then play rehearsal. I get home at 9:30 or 10 p.m. That’s when I begin my homework.
That’s a long day!
[With all the activities at PA], it’s impossible for an eager student to not have an overwhelmingly busy schedule. I don’t mind being busy, as long as I’m doing the things I love.
How do you find time for it all?
There will never be enough time in anything you do in this world. If you remember which things are most important, the rest takes care of itself. With what short hours I am given, the best I can do is prioritize: God, family, friends, school, extra-curriculars, in that order.
What would you do with extra time?
Spend it with my closest friends. I always regret not having a spot in my schedule for an extensive social life.
You play in a three-piece rock outfit with two friends, which won the Maple Grove Battle of the Bands last year.
Yes, Bored of Education. The name is ironic, because all of [us] have earned multiple varsity letters in academics [and] clearly value our education. We’re recording our first EP this summer.
College plans?
I don’t have a strong idea of what degree I might pursue. University of Notre Dame—it’s a difficult school to get into.
Some people don’t know …
… how to pronounce my last name. They call me “Towel,” and it’s become a nickname.
Kayla Bartsch
Providence Academy
- Sophomore, junior and senior class president
- Ascension Lutheran Church adult choir
- Academy Chorale, Chamber Choir, Belle Canta leader
- Trap Shooting Club
What do you like best about Providence?
Indescribably delicious food, (including ever-tempting soft-serve ice cream) ... our uniforms (while they might be heavily lacking in style, they are so convenient!), [and], above all, how faith is woven into everything we learn and do.
Favorite memory at Providence Academy?
Rehearsing Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque” with the [80-member] choir. We were squeezed into the stairwell, where the acoustics are amazing. It was so chillingly beautiful. We all stood there in silence for a little [after] the bell rang.
Favorite teacher?
Mr. Carrillo, the choir teacher, is probably the most inspiring guy I have ever met. He’s always reminding us [that] singing is much more than hitting the right notes: it is a powerful tool to bring the singer and the listener closer to the Lord.
You’re taking numerous AP courses. why such a challenging course load?
If a class doesn’t challenge you, you’re in the wrong class!
Thinking about college?
Since seventh grade! I’m thinking about majoring in management, but I’ve always loved philosophy and English, so I’ll see where the road takes me.
You joined the new Trap Shooting Club last year. What’s that all about?
As Coach White would say: “There’s nothing 10,000 rounds can’t fix!”
What would you do with More time?
Call my sister, spend more time in prayer, read, and try to get more than six hours of sleep.
What’s your idea of fun?
Girls’ night! Some baking, nail polish and a sappy rom-com.
Most people don’t know …
… that I love Star Trek and Dr. Who, and playing Texas Hold ’em.
Eva Pettersen
Wayzata High School
- Belle Canto
- Choir president
- Student Council member
- Junior class president
- Student body president
- Link Leader
- Link Commissioner
- Wayzata Leadership Academy
- Peace Day Committee chairwoman
- Core Planning Committee student rep
You’ve been involved with student government since fourth grade. What drives you to lead?
I love speaking for the student body. I love planning and coordinating events. At times, I even love the stress that comes with it. [As the third youngest of nine children], I grew up working with people who are older than me, and dealing with large groups. In my house, you sort of have to be loud to be heard.
What’s your biggest priority as Senior Class President?
Helping to make every student’s experience the best it can possibly be. As a whole, I want students to have a community experience. We might as well make it fun while we’re here.
What do you like best about Wayzata High School?
Teachers [who] genuinely care; the large range of classes, extracurriculars, social groups and even lunch choices; and—though it might be overwhelming to some—being part of a big community with a lot of school spirit.
How do you show your school spirit?
Behind the scenes, making sure [events] run smoothly.
Best high school memory?
When I was a sophomore, I got to sleep over at the school to help run the “Midnight Challenge,” [as part of the annual fundraiser game-show hybrid, Survivor Week.]
Favorite place to hang out with friends?
I love hanging out at people’s homes. I love getting to know my friends’ families.
Future dreams?
I’m considering secondary education; nursing is my back-up plan. I have close ties at home, [so] I’m looking at the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas.
Wesley Heal
Wayzata High School
- Link Leader
- Varsity Cross-country and track
- Nordic ski team
- Nordic ski team captain
- Band, Marching Band, Drumline
- WHS Student Council Senate
- Student Council Executive Board
- Junior PTSO representative
- Youth Extending Service
- Volunteers in the Community
- National Honor Society
You’ve run the mile in fewer than 5 minutes. At 15, you finished in the top 10 in a half-marathon. How?
I love the feeling after a hard workout, when you have pushed your body to the limit. The long hours, the many miles, the worn-out running shoes—it all pays off.
Do you plan to run in college?
I will continue to run (and ski) until age prevents me.
College plans?
I’m still light years away from deciding.
You’ve been playing percussion in the school band since seventh grade. Why keep coming back?
It’s something about the beat. Plus, band class adds a little flavor to the day.
How do you find time for everything?
The more things you are involved in, the less time you have to waste.
Favorite things to do with friends?
Watch sports, play basketball or Frisbee, go to the beach—other than that, you can find me at Chipotle or Buffalo Wild Wings.
What would you do with two extra hours?
I’m sure my parents would want me to say homework, but I believe I would spend it procrastinating.
Something few people know about you?
My grandparents were all born in different countries: England, Spain, Singapore and Malaysia. Also, I love whole milk. I can drink a lot of it, and I’m still pretty upset [the cafeteria] only has 1 percent.
