Advertisement

River Ridge val, sal value high school opportunities

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

Valedictorian Rebecca Breuer and Salutatorian Hope Schier

River Ridge has announced its valedictorian and salutatorian representing the Class of 2017. Rebecca Breuer is valedictorian and Hope Schier is salutatorian.

Valedictorian Rebecca Breuer is the daughter of Leo and Sara Breuer, of Wyalusing Township. She intends to attend classes at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities this fall and major in biomedical engineering.

Throughout high school, Rebecca has been named to the National Honor Society, student council, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Friends Helping Friends. She’s served on the newspaper staff and participated in forensics. She’s been involved in science club, art club and Spanish club. She has also been active in track as well as the school’s pep, marching and concert bands all four years. Rebecca has held offices or leadership roles in nearly all of her activities.

Additionally, Rebecca has made the high honor roll every semester, qualified for the state FBLA competition, and was a senior homecoming court representative. She was nominated for the Six Rivers West Conference Honors Band all four years and the Dorian Band Festival three years. She played at state solo and ensemble two years and qualified for the Wisconsin High School State Speech Contest two years. In track, she lettered, earned the most improved and team player awards, and qualified for sectionals on the 3200-meter relay team and in pole vault.

In her community, Rebecca has volunteered through school organizations, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as at St. John’s Church in Patch Grove. She also went on mission trips to Copperhill, Tenn. and Joplin, Mo. and worked with young students teaching tolerance, diversity, and peer pressure.

Rebecca has also worked in her spare time at Zinkle’s Piggly Wiggly in Prairie du Chien for two years.

Reflecting on her time at River Ridge, Rebecca has learned that her strengths are her willingness to try new things, her work ethic, and her belief in staying true to herself.

“Over the last four years, these strengths have helped me to overcome the limited resources of my rural community,” she said. “By taking private saxophone lessons and advanced online math classes, I have demonstrated how I have been able to challenge myself.”

She credits her parents for always encouraging her to pursue her interests, to work hard to achieve goals, and to be compassionate and humble. In fact, when asked her advice to underclassmen, her words sound familiar: “Get involved because it will help you discover your interests. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and pursue your interests outside of school. Always put your best effort into your education.”

Rebecca said, after graduation, she’s going to miss her friends as well as the positive atmosphere of playing in the pep band and competing in track. She would have liked more opportunities in music, AP classes, and a cross country program. However, it seems band and her appreciation of teacher, Mr. Joe Lasko, have been very fulfilling.

“He’s had a significant impact on the person I have become. He showed great enthusiasm. During his time at River Ridge, he added many new songs to our pep band list that everyone thoroughly enjoyed,” she said. “Mr. Lasko was also a very interesting person to talk to; some of the best memories that I have of high school band are not of concerts, but of conversations my fellow band mates and I had with him. I was sad to see him leave after my junior year, but I continued to step up as a leader by refining my skills. Mr. Lasko’s passion for music and encouragement throughout high school were a key motivation in my decision to join a band in college.”

In addition to one or more bands, Rebecca plans to stay active in other ways in college, by joining clubs and intramurals. She’s looking forward to the culture of the Twin Cities and meeting new people.

As a biomedical engineer, she hopes “to help people live fuller, longer, and more comfortable lives by designing medical equipment, artificial organs and body systems and prosthetic limbs.

Salutatorian Hope Schier is the daughter of Bill and Kristin Schier, of Glen Haven. She will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to major in chemistry, this fall. She plans to pursue a degree in pharmacy.

Hope’s high school activities have been numerous. She’s been involved with Friends Helping Friends, National Honor Society, science club, the school newspaper, the wellness club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In extra-curriculars, she excelled in volleyball, dance, softball, band, choir and forensics. She held the roles of captain for volleyball, dance and softball and served as president of the forensics team. She was nominated for honors choir and honors band, achieved gold and silver at state forensics and earned first at state solo and ensemble on the flute.

Hope has also kept busy in her community, volunteering for a mission trip to Joplin, Mo., and at her church. She also spent the past few summers as the head umpire at the Bloomington Park for Little League baseball and softball games. This summer, she will work at Wyalusing State Park.

Looking back at her last four years, she’s been proud to have balanced her academics with her extracurricular activities.

“Since I have such an outgoing personality, and I am very active in school, it was important for me to develop time management skills. I have been very successful both academically and extracurricularly,” she stated. Thanks to inspiration from her parents, Hope has gained the drive and ambition to work hard and set high expectations for herself. “I’ve learned to never back down from a challenge. I am beyond thankful for all of the love and support my parents have provided me. My mom and dad really are my biggest fans.”

Hope is also grateful for all of her high school teachers. She said so many of them have been a positive support system for her.

As she moves ahead with her next journey, she is going to miss playing sports and dancing at basketball games. She loved being part of a team and performing at concerts and competitions.

“I am also going to miss the comfort and familiarity of high school and our small community,” she added.

Yet, Hope is excited about college and what that will bring for her.

“I am looking forward to broadening my horizons after high school. I know attending UW-Madison will provide me with many new opportunities and experiences; I plan to take advantage of the multiple resources available to me,” she said. “The future is exciting yet daunting. I am thankful for River Ridge High School, my parents, and my family because they have prepared me for my future and taught me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.”

Hope’s proficient guidance for River Ridge’s underclassmen is to not wish away high school.

“You may be excited for your future, but when it’s finally time to say a goodbye, you will realize how many memories you actually made. The activities are what make high school so special,” she said. “Take advantage of the multiple opportunities available. Be part of a team and find what you love to do. Start working hard freshman year and continue working until you’re walking across the stage with your diploma.”

Rate this article: 
No votes yet