Division 1
Grace Grocholski, Kettle Moraine High School - 4.00 GPA
Athletics Snapshop
Grocholski has earned eight letters in volleyball and basketball. She’s a four-time all-conference selection in volleyball and a four-time all-conference selection in basketball. Grocholski helped lead the basketball team to State championships during her junior and senior years. She is a three-time team MVP and conference MVP in basketball and four-time volleyball conference champion as well as State qualifier.
Academic Activities
Grocholski is a two-year member of the National Honor Society
Essay
The greatest lesson I've learned from all of my years of sports and academics is hard work. It sounds generic, but these lessons genuinely have been the reason I have succeeded in sports and school. The art of working hard when it doesn't matter has been drilled into my head ever since the 2nd grade. That is when I went to my first high school basketball camp and athletic workouts. Seemingly meaningless and repetitive dribbling and passing drills at that age gave me the perseverance, determination, and grit to advance my moves to advance my skills. Working out those drills with trainers three days a week in elementary and middle school did not yield big results back then, but with determination, they do now. As a freshman coming into high school basketball, my dad plastered the current scoring record on our basketball hoop at home. It now reads G-O-A-T. I didn't get her from just going to practice every day in high school, I got here because I did the work early. Working hard has helped me tremendously in my academic career as well as keeping me focused on time management and prioritizing tasks. Athletics has focused me on continuously staying up late at night to make sure I am prepared. The grit and determination will carry me later in life in any job that I choose, hard work never goes out of style.
Post-Graduation Plans
Grocholski intends to further her studies and play basketball at the University of Minnesota.
Paige Miller, Kaukauna High School – 3.92 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Miller has earned seven letters in volleyball and softball. The four-time letter-winner in volleyball, earning All-Fox Valley Association Conference honors as a sophomore Miller was the team MVP in volleyball her junior and senior seasons for a team that won four regional titles during her career. She is a three-time letter-winner in softball, helping the team to State titles her sophomore and junior seasons. She was also a member of four regional volleyball championship teams.
Academic Activities
She is a four-year member of the Key Club and a two-year member of the National Honor Society as well as the Ghost Crew leadership team. She also was involved in HOSA-Future Health Professionals one year.
Essay
I have learned an abundance of lessons through experiences of being a student athlete, all of which go hand in hand on both the field and in the classroom. Although I have been playing sports for years, my desire to learn the game continues to grow. The same applies to the classroom, where I am equally committed. I began athletics when I was 4-years old. Throughout the past fourteen years, because of my work ethic, it is possible to commit to multiple goals, and maintain high standards I set for myself. But, it surely takes hard work to achieve this. I have gained an understanding of the importance of working hard when nobody is watching. The mindset you carry plays an important role in this as well. I’ve learned to focus on the process rather than the outcome, and on failure rather than success. The mindset of a student athlete can make or break any result. I have learned to be coachable, and to learn essential lessons from mentors, and teachers, and coaches. This has ultimately developed my character. Without solid character, scholarship, mindset, and hard work are of false intent. I have learned that character displays leadership and respect, but also earns your leadership roles and respect from others. Character will continue to play an indispensable role in the development of my academic and athletic career. I plan to take full advantage of the lessons I have learned, and use them to guide my path forward in life.
Post-Graduation Plans
Miller is planning on studying business and playing softball at the University of Wisconsin.
Lucy Strey, Sun Prairie East High School – 3.87 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Strey has lettered eight times across the sports of golf, basketball and soccer. She has been a member of the Big Eight Conference champion soccer and basketball teams and a regional team champion in golf. She recorded a hole-in-one in golf during her junior year. As a senior, Strey earned the MVP award in both basketball and golf.
Academic Activities
Strey has been a four-year participant in the Advanced Learner Program, and has been involved in DECA three years. She is a two-year member of the History Club and a one-year member of the National Honor Society, serving as president.
Essay
Looking back at my last four years of high school, I reflect on the experiences and achievements that have made me who I am. Whether it was playing varsity soccer with my sister and winning a conference championship or my junior year of golf when I hit a hole-in-one; I have had plenty of memorable moments. But it was through my participation in three sports and numerous AP courses that I gained invaluable transferable skills. Throughout my time at Sun Prairie High School, self-discipline and time management were what allowed me to emerge from the dark holes of academic and athletic stress, pressure, and fatigue. They are the pillars of the foundation for how I strive to approach each day. However, the greatest lesson I have taken away is how to overcome adversity. Despite missing my freshman year of soccer due to the pandemic or having our district split into two high schools before my senior year, I used these as opportunities to focus on leadership, teamwork, and individual growth. Being the only senior on the basketball team, I took pride in leading the underclassmen through a challenging season and helping set the standard for varsity basketball. Being a student-athlete requires immense dedication to excel in all areas. I learned how to properly organize, prioritize, and motivate myself so I could be successful in my athletic and academic requirements. I am confident that these skills will set me up for success in my future endeavors.
Post-Graduation Plans
She intends to study pre-business at the University of Wisconsin.
Dasha Vorontsov, Oregon High School - 4.00 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Vorontsov has earned six varsity letters, four in cross country and two in track and field. She has run to four all-conference honors and is a four-time team MVP in cross country, qualifying four times for the State Championships. She also received the Badger Conference West Division MVP honors her senior season. She was an individual conference champion and team MVP her junior season. She also was a State Track qualifier.
Academic Activities
She is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and one-year participant in the Math Club.
Essay
Throughout my high school career, I have gained a variety of skills through my academic and athletic experiences that will guide me through future obstacles. Perhaps the most influential lesson that high school has granted me, especially as an achieved student-athlete, is maintaining balance. I took many difficult classes on top of being heavily involved in sports, clubs, and other significant aspects. These four years allowed me to explore my options while learning how to balance them properly, which is a critical life skill that will assist me as I enter the college and career phases of my life. High school has also taught me to put myself out of my comfort zone socially, which has always been very challenging. High school allowed me a safe space to work on my leadership skills and build bonds with other people that I may not have been able to do without the support and opportunities I received. High school built me into a leader in the classroom and within my sports teams with the aim of working towards my goals while helping others along the way. I realized that I did not want to hide in the shadows but rather actively give back to my community. My high school academic and athletic experiences taught me balance, putting myself out of my comfort zone, and leadership skills in numerous settings which are lessons that I will take with me as I embark on the next part of my journey.
Post-Graduation Plans
Vorontsov intends to study kinesiology and Spanish at the University of Wisconsin.
Division 2
Madilyn Dogs, Kewaskum High School – 3.97 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Dogs has lettered eight times across the sports of volleyball, basketball and track & field. She is a four-time letter-winner in basketball, leading the team to the State championship as a senior. Dogs is a three-time all-conference selection in basketball and was named team MVP as a sophomore and senior. She is a two-time letter-winner in volleyball and an all-conference performer as a senior. In track & field, she lettered three times and earned all-conference honors, including individual championship as a junior. She is a two-time State qualifier and was the team MVP twice and conference MVP once.
Academic Activities
Dogs has served four years on the student council and is a two-year member of the National Honor Society. In addition, she has participated two years in the Key Club and the Academic Bowl. Dogs was involved with Future Farmers of America one year.
Essay
Being a student-athlete involved in many extracurricular activities, I have been asked this question numerous times throughout my life. Saying this, the same things consistently come to mind. Those are properly managing my time and the importance of communication. Speaking honestly, time management is something I have always struggled with. Being part of three sports and numerous clubs, one lesson that I will carry with me is the importance of knowing what you have to do and getting it done. I have had many late nights due to games, and many early mornings due to meetings, so finding time to finish schoolwork is something that I have learned to teach myself. On another note, communication is something that applies to almost every aspect of life. Not only does it deal with teammates, coaches, and teachers, but it also has an impact on family and friendships. I have learned this lesson in many different ways, as communication is the base of every relationship. I now know how important it is to maintain good relationships, as it makes things easier and more enjoyable. All in all, my experiences with these two lessons will aid me in the next few years, as both are applicable to my expected future endeavors. I will have to balance school and basketball, and also communicate with coaches, teammates, and professors. I am very thankful for everything I have learned during my time in high school and feel prepared for any challenge I may face in the future!
Post-Graduation Plans
Dogs plans to study business and play basketball at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Mya Hartjes, University School of Milwaukee, 4.00 - GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Hartjes has lettered 11 times across the sports of cross country, basketball, soccer and track & field. She has lettered four times in cross country and was named team MVP each season. She earned all-conference honors three times, winning the conference individual title twice and league MVP as a sophomore. Hartjes is a four-time letter-winner in basketball, receiving team MVP honors four times and was chosen conference MVP twice, having been named all-conference three times. She has lettered once in track, garnering team MVP honors and winning a conference championship as a junior. Hartjes also lettered twice in soccer.
Academic Activities
Hartjes served four years on the Class Board and on the Trident Yearbook staff. She participated three years in the Oat Club, and two years on Student-Athlete Leadership Team and Upper School Newsletter.
Essay
As I reflect on high school academics and athletics, I have learned many lessons both in the classroom and on the course or court about how to be a leader, teammate and student. A few of these include finding a balance and working with others; however, one that sticks out more than the others, is to always give your best effort in what you are doing and to not give up. Even if it may be for a minor task, work as hard as you can. You may never know when it could be the last time you step on the court or are in your favorite classroom. This is one thing that I have always tried to do and I feel it has helped me get this far in high school. Not only will this help you improve academically or athletically, but it will also help others around you find success, especially when it gets tougher. No matter what task I am faced with, I hope that I will be able to do the best I can, even if it is challenging. Failure is a part of life that we cannot avoid, but one thing we can do to help overcome the challenges we face is by constantly putting in full effort and not giving up. As I continue my academic and athletic career in college, I hope that I am able to live by this and continue to do the best I can.
Post-Graduation Plans
Hartjes intends to study engineering and play basketball at Case Western Reserve University.
Joey Perry, Winneconne High School – 3.86 GPA
Athletic Snapshot
Perry has lettered eleven times in cross country, basketball and track and field. She is a four-time letter-winner in cross country. She helped lead the team to a State championship her sophomore year and has earned all-conference four times and team MVP twice in cross country. She has lettered three times in track & field, earning two all-conference honors and winning conference individual titles her sophomore and junior seasons to go with two team MVP awards. Perry is a four-time letter-winner in basketball and a two-time all-conference selection as well as team MVP.
Academic Activities
Perry has participated four years in the Key Club, and she is a three-year member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society. Perry was a member of Book Club one year.
Essay
By far the greatest lesson that I’ve learned in my high school career is that hard work pays off, both academically and athletically. There have been numerous occasions where this has been shown true. There is no better feeling than getting a good grade on a test after studying all night, or hitting a new PR after countless hours of training. The process is what people don’t see, but it’s the most important part. Another principle lesson that I will carry with me through life endeavors is that teamwork is crucial. The sayings “two brains are better than one” and “many hands make light work” may be cliche, but they are accurate. This can be shown on the basketball court. If you take away a person, the play falls apart. I learned that being a part of a team can help both physically and mentally. Whether it’s having someone to pass the ball to, or just sitting down to talk, a team gives support whenever it’s needed. Lastly, a lesson that high school taught me is that failure isn’t a bad thing as long as you learn from it. Through sports and school I learned that failing is inevitable. There is so much knowledge that comes with failing, and as long as you persevere and try again, it will help you in the long run. Overall, I’m so thankful for all the lessons that I’ve learned in the past four years.
Post-Graduation Plans
Perry plans to study business and participate in track & field at the University of Northern Iowa
Rachel Ulrich, Osceola High School - 4.00 GPA
Athletic Snapshot
Ulrich has earned six letters in cross country and track and field. She has lettered four times in cross country and has led her team to four conference titles with four all-conference honors, including four league individual championships and four team MVP awards. She is a two-year letter-winner in track & field, earning team MVP honors twice and receiving all-conference honors both years by winning individual conference championships. Ulrich holds the Middle Border Conference record in the 800-meter run.
Academic Activities
Ulrich is ranked top in her class academically. She has participated in Future Farmers of America three years and has been a member of the National Honor Society two years, serving the role of president. She has been involved in the Link Crew and Yearbook staff one year.
Essay
High school academics and athletics have taught me the value of hard work, persistence, and balance. For both athletics and academics, I've learned through hard work that practice lays the foundation for improvement. Regarding track or cross country, you follow a program to make you faster. Regarding academics, you work through another problem or study a subject until you clearly understand the material. Success requires dedication and drive to strive to the next level. However, I've also learned things don't always go as planned. In academics there can be a test where you didn't score as high as you hoped or a subject you've struggled to understand. In sports, I've had challenges and illnesses that have caused me to not perform as anticipated. It can be easy to give up and feel like all of the effort and time were for nothing, but I've come to realize this is never the case. Continuing to push through and giving it your all is the only option because it leads to favorable results. A never give up attitude and positive mindset are essential in all aspects of my life. As far as balance, there will always be a balance between sports and school. I've found that to succeed in academics and athletics, I must be organized and master time management. I keep my academics as my top priority by being proactive with my studies. Next year I will keep using these valuable lessons I've learned while running at the collegiate level.
Post-Graduation Plans
Ulrich intends to study biochemistry and participate in cross country and track & field at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Division 3
Molly Heidorn, Colfax High School - 4.00 GPA
Athletic Snapshot
Heidorn has earned nine varsity letters across cross country, basketball and track & field. The four-time letter-winner in cross country is a four-time conference champion and four-time team MVP. She is a three-time individual and team sectional champion. In basketball, she was a three-time letter-winner for a program that won conference titles her sophomore and junior years. Heidorn was a two-time letter-winner in track & field. She was team MVP, and a conference and sectional champion as a sophomore and junior.
Academic Activities
Heidorn is a three-year member of the National Honor Society and a two-year participant on the student council and the DSC Leadership Committee.
Essay
The lessons I have learned from my involvement in both high school academics and athletics have prepared me well for my future. Through the trials and happiest moments, I have learned to be an excellent teammate, to lead positively, to never give up, and to manage my busy schedule. Running cross country has pushed me to attain a new level of mindset to make an impact in the sport. In summer training I had to stay consistent in my schedule, running early every morning before going to basketball open gym. There were moments when I wanted to skip a day, to let myself sleep in, but I knew that is not the choice a champion makes. Instead, I would tie up my laces, do my dynamics, and prepare my mind for the miles ahead of me. My team needed me to be at my best and never give up on the dream of being team conference champions. In addition to being a three-sport athlete, I have also taken advanced classes as well as multiple college classes during my years of high school. Balancing my rigorous school schedule, three sports, and my part time job can be difficult; however, by taking these tasks one at a time, I have learned time management skills and have become organized with my demanding schedule. These skills will benefit me greatly in my freshman year of college where I will be running NCAA cross country while studying to attain a major in communications.
Post-Graduate Plans
Heidorn will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to study communications and run cross country.
Sophia Lawler, The Prairie School – 3.96 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Lawler earned eight varsity letters in golf and basketball. She lettered four times in golf and was the conference champion three times. Lawler was named the team MVP twice for a program that won conference championships four times and sectional titles three times. She is a four-year letter-winner in basketball for a team that captured conference titles her junior and senior seasons.
Academic Activities
Lawler served as a Student Government Officer three years.
Essay
The greatest lessons I learned in my high school academic and athletic experiences that will help me later in life is the importance of discipline and hard work. Being a scholar athlete requires a lot of discipline in and out of the classroom. Prairie's rigorous courses require a lot of time after school in order to complete all assignments, so in order to have exceptional grades, you need to be very disciplined and find a balance between being successful in sports and the classroom. Hard work is also one of the greatest lessons I have taken away from participating in athletics and academics in my high school career. Without hard work, A's are not going to be on the report card and golf state runner up trophies are not going to be visible in the school cases either. I will be continuing my athletic career in college playing division 2 golf and my academic career studying nursing, so hard work and discipline will be necessary in order to stay successful. Hard work and discipline are lessons that have helped me tremendously in high school and will evolve into life lessons as I continue these principles in college.
Post-Graduation Plans
Lawler intends on studying nursing and compete in golf at Lewis University.
Reese Rogowski, Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School – 3.97 GPA
Athletics Snapshop
Rogowski has earned eleven varsity letters in volleyball, basketball and track and field. She earned four letters in volleyball on a four-time conference championship team and a 2022 State qualifier. She was selected team MVP and all-conference twice, including league MVP as a junior. Rogowski is also a four-time letter-winner in basketball. She was named team MVP three times and all-conference twice. In track & field, she has earned three letters and earned individual conference and sectional championships as well as team MVP as a sophomore and junior.
Academic Activities
Rogowski is a three-time member of the National Honor Society.
Essay
In my time as a student-athlete, I have experienced over and over that success is the result of failure. Entering high school, I was afraid to fail because I thought I would be a disappointment to my team or myself in academics, but I now realize that sometimes accomplishments come from the lessons you learn along the way as you fail. One of the toughest decisions I have ever had to make was deciding what college I wanted to attend. I have gained knowledge on how to make tough choices that will be the best fit for me as I look at who I want to be in my future. Another lesson I learned is that sometimes if you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. When being hit with challenges through my years of high school, there were times I thought I couldn’t succeed; however, I now look at those challenges as opportunities that were given to me to become the best version of myself. I have learned from and value the importance of maintaining self-discipline and holding myself accountable. I have high standards for myself in whatever I am doing, and I will continue to hold myself to these principles as I continue on in life.
Post-Graduation Plans
Rogowski plans to study nursing and compete in track & field at North Dakota State University.
Lindsay Steien, Blair-Taylor High School - 4.00 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Steien has earned eleven varsity letters spanning three sports including volleyball, basketball and softball. She lettered four times in basketball for a four-time conference championship team and a State runner-up her senior year. Steien was selected all-conference and team MVP all four seasons. She is a three-time letter-winner in softball and a two-time all-conference selection. She was the team MVP twice for a team that has won the conference three times and qualified for State her junior year. In volleyball, she lettered four times, named team MVP three times and garnered all-conference honors her senior season.
Academic Activities
Steien ranks first in her class academically. She is a three-year participant on the student council and Future Farmers of America. She was a four-year member of the Lettermen’s Club, including serving as president.
Essay
Participating in high school athletics has taught me some of the most valuable lessons which I will carry with me throughout the next chapters of my life. Commitment, self-discipline, teamwork and being able to handle failure are lessons high school sports can teach young athletes. These are just a few of the many lessons I've learned throughout my athletic career. Skill level and performance rank are phrases that come to mind when people think of participating and competing in athletics at any level. However, these terms severely undermine the level of dedication and perseverance athletes put forth every day in attempt to better themselves and their respective teams. Aside from individual effort, athletes need to be able to work well with teammates so they can reach an overall goal. Being able to work well with others, coupled with working well under pressure are extremely valuable lessons that I would not have had the opportunity to improve upon if it had not been for high school sports. Lastly, experiencing success and failure simultaneously is a recurring theme put on display at practice and competitions. Having the resilience and motivation to move on after a win or loss is one of the greatest lessons any athlete can experience. Inevitably, not everything in life is going to go as planned out discovering ways to leran and move on from failure is the only way to achieve real success.
Post-Graduation Plans
Steien intends to study finance at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Division 4
Cristin Casey, Assumption High School – 3.88 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Casey has participated in cross country, basketba
ll and softball. She has earned 10 letters, including four in cross country, four in basketball and two in softball. Casey ran to all-conference honors three times in cross country for a three-time league team champion. She was a member three conference championship teams in basketball. She was a two-time conference team champion in softball and a two-time all-conference selection.
Academic Activities
Casey is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and a three-year participant in the Pro Like Club.
Essay
Performing as a multiple sport high school athlete has taught me many valuable life lessons. My participation has pushed me to be hardworking, have good time management skills, and most importantly to persevere. I learned perseverance by facing hardships that included several injuries. Two of these injuries, which affected several of my athletic seasons, even required surgery. I continued to work hard for myself and my teammates in spite of the obstacles. Ever since I was a child I wanted to be the most accomplished athlete and perform on the biggest stages alongside my fellow players. In order to achieve these goals, I made sure to work hard and manage my time so I would continue to do well in the classroom. I was the first to arrive at practices and the last one to leave. My off days included time at the gym doing my own workout. Years of hard work have allowed me to compete at the state level in all three of the sports that I am involved. Athletics have helped me build confidence in my abilities and to be patient while working to achieve my goals. The lessons that I have learned will not only help me with my college studies, but will also guide me in my future career and relationship.
Post-Graduation Plans
Casey plans to study pre-med and play softball at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Lilly Geary, Kickapoo High School - 4.00 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Geary has lettered 10 times across the sports of cross country, basketball and track & field. She lettered four years and earned four all-conference accolades for a four-time conference team champion in cross country. She also lettered four times in basketball and was a three-time conference team champion. Geary was named to the all-conference team her senior season. She is a two-time letter-winner in track & field and a two-year conference individual and team champion. She earned conference MVP honors her sophomore and junior seasons and team MVP as a junior.
Academic Activities
Geary participated four years in the National Honor Society, Future Farmers of America, Choir, Band, and Musical. In addition, she served four years as a class officer, including three as president.
Essay
There are many lessons I have learned in my high school academic and athletic experience, but there are three that stand out to me. First being to show up, work hard and stay committed. The saying, “you get out what you put in”, is a driving force for me in both academics and athletics. I use those words to keep focus on my goals and to push me to be better each day. Second, to lead by example. From a young age I watched other athletes have success academically and athletically, and I knew I wanted to do that when I grew up. I soaked up as much as I could from the people who I admired, and I now make sure I am leading through my dedication to being the best I can be. And finally, the Covid pandemic taught me the greatest lessons of all, and that is to never take for granted the opportunities you have today. From the moment I could get back into the classroom and back at athletics post Covid restrictions, I set my mind to achieving the highest level of excellence for myself academically and athletically. It put many things in perspective for me, and even though it was a difficult time for many, I will be forever grateful for the lessons learned during that time. These three lessons have shaped me to be who I am today and will help guide me as I continue my next chapter in life.
Post-Graduation Plans
Geary will study exercise and sport science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Carleigh Kaczmarek, Gillett High School – 3.83 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Kaczmarek has lettered 10 times in cross country, basketball and track and field. She is a four-time letter-winner in basketball, earning three all-conference honors, team MVP twice and conference MVP as a senior. Kaczmarek was a four-time letter-winner in cross country. She was a member of three conference championship teams and ran to all-conference recognition three times, including a league individual championship as a senior. She was also named team MVP twice and league MVP once. In track and field, Kaczmarek has lettered twice, earning all-conference honors twice, including a individual championship as a junior. She was selected team MVP as a junior.
Academic Activities
Kaczmarek is a three-year participant in Future Business Leaders of America, Spanish Club and Yearbook Club. She is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and the student council.
Essay
In my Ethics and English classes, I learned that it is important to understand how other people think, feel,
and what is important to them in life. This gives me perspective in how to balance my priorities with what others feel, and what is best for all. I also learned academically that to be able to succeed and reach my goals, I have to be proficient in using resources to find answers to questions and problems as they arise. Perhaps the greatest lesson for a three-sport student athlete is that there must be an allocation plan for study time, workout time, practice time, competition events, additional extracurricular activities, personal time, and rest time. Having and following a definite plan helps to ensure that success in these endeavors. This means that mental toughness is necessary to stick to the plan and increase the probability of success. On many days, I wanted to take it easy or even quit. But quitting was not an option. To reach one’s goals, hard work is the only answer. Using positive self-talk, I continued. Through injuries and failures, I learned to overcome adversity and to work harder toward my goals. Throughout my high school career, I witnessed teammates suffer torn ACLs, concussions, a coma, and lesser injuries. Seeing how fast something can be taken away opened my eyes to the importance of enjoying the experiences I have.
Post-Graduation Plans
Kaczmarek plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Kallie Volk, Three Lakes High School - 4.00 GPA
Athletics Snapshot
Volk has earned 10 letters across four sports, including cross country, volleyball, basketball and track and field. She is a three-time letter-winner in track & field, winning a State individual championship as a junior. She won two conference individual and team championships, and has been selected as team MVP twice and conference MVP once. She lettered four times in cross country and is a three-time conference individual champion, two-time conference MVP and three-time team MVP. In basketball, she has lettered three times, earning all-conference honors and team MVP accolades as a senior.
Academic Activities
Volk is ranked first in her class academically. She is a four-year member of the student council, serving as president as a senior and vice-president as a junior. Volk was a class officer two years and a member of the National Honor Society for two years. She has also participated two years in forensics and the National Business Honor Society for two years.
Essay
“Be 212°.” This is the analogy that immediately came to my mind after reading the prompt. At 211°, water is very hot, but at 212°, it boils, creating steam. Steam can power a train. One tiny degree is the difference between water being very hot and something that generates enough force to power a massive machine. This analogy that my coach once described to the team has taught me the importance of commitment. Being a successful student athlete is about always giving the extra degree of effort in order to be 212°. Completing high school as a student and an athlete has truly shaped my life and taught me countless life-long lessons. There are several crucial moments that come to mind when I think about the most valuable lessons that I have learned from my experience as a student athlete. Some are good memories, but the majority of the takeaways come from the times of struggles and adversity. Being a student athlete has taught me that life is not all about the glamor and successes. The most impactful lessons come from the opportunity to learn about yourself during times of self-doubt or failure. It has taught me to be confident in myself and abilities, problem solve, be a leader, radiate positivity, show up repeatedly, work together, overcome physical and mental challenges, and most importantly, to work hard 100% of the time. Always give that extra effort to achieve the goal of being 212°.
Post-Graduation Plans
Volk is intending to study kinesiology and compete in track & field at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.