Photos: Chris Emeott
Each year, we ask school administrators to nominate outstanding students who exemplify their school communities and will leave a positive imprint after graduation. Administrators, advisors, principals and teachers put forward individuals who lead their peers, enrich local clubs and organizations and display a high degree of academic curiosity. It’s always difficult to narrow down selections from such a strong pool of seniors, but we are pleased to introduce three students who have played a role in shaping the Class of 2027.
Olivia Shiek
Benilde-St. Margaret’s
“Olivia Shiek is an exceptional leader inside and outside of the classroom. As captain of the Mock Trial team, she has helped lead the team to the state level while earning the title Best Witness. She is always engaged in the classroom and goes above and beyond by using her knowledge and skills to tutor younger students. Olivia is passionate about service and has supported children in hospice care, created blankets for hospitalized youth and built homes for families in Guatemala. In addition, she balances very demanding work as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), caring for residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s [disease], with her continuous involvement in theater, choir and medical-focused clubs and internships.” —Amanda Anderson, counselor
How do you balance academic demands, extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities outside of high school? Obtaining a healthy balance between social and academic life takes a lot of trial and error. Through making mistakes, I’m able to learn and grow in my ability to balance my personal life with my professional one. During my seventh-grade year, I bit off more than I could chew and struggled with grades and extracurriculars. Through this experience, I learned to thrive and explore a growth mindset to find what would work best for me during each of my high school years. This continues to help me as I look toward my future.
Which teacher or staff member had the biggest impact on you and why? My biomedical teacher, Mr. Peterson, has had the biggest impact on my academic career and success as a student. He truly helped me to explore the world from new perspectives by not only looking at society from a scientific point of view but also applying social, economic, futuristic and historical lenses. Mr. Peterson also helped to introduce me to my current job as a CNA and encouraged me to get as much experience in a professional setting as possible to understand what it is that I enjoy most about the medical field.
Describe yourself in three adjectives. Determined, Compassionate, Patient
What skill or talent have you always wanted to learn? I would love to learn taekwondo.
What is your favorite motto or quote? “Don’t squander joyful moments by waiting for the other shoe to drop.” —Brené Brown
What is your dream job? Pediatric neurosurgeon
What sports, clubs and extracurricular activities are you involved in?
- Caring for the Courageous
- Crescent Cove volunteer
- Dentistry and Healthcare Internship
- First Responders Internship
- Girls Swim Team
- Guatemala mission trip
- Language National Honor Society
- Link Crew
- Medical Club
- Midknights Treble Choir
- Mock Trial
- Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honors Society)
- National Honor Society
- Peer ministry
- Red Knight Volunteer Corps
- Science National Honor Society
- Theater
Vivian Worner
Providence Academy
“Vivian is an outstanding member of our community. She embodies what we look for in a student as one of our tops academically with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, active in sports and clubs and active in our fine arts. Even more than that, Vivian embraces our culture and helps to move it forward through leadership with the student body as a house leader and a member of [National Honor Society]. She also has been involved in some historic athletic success in soccer and basketball and is a leader in many ways on our teams, clubs and activities.” —Kurt Jaeger, Upper School director
How do you balance academic demands, extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities outside of high school? For years, I have made a habit of budgeting my time. In order to do this, I make a lot of lists, which helps with organization. Entering high school, my parents instilled the idea of chipping away at assignments, which makes many demands more manageable. Finally, I have learned the art of triaging, so I approach that which is most pressing first and allow myself breathing room on what is secondary. This has allowed me to be organized and efficient, all while avoiding stress.
Which teacher or staff member had the biggest impact on you and why? Providence Academy has provided me with so many amazing teachers, but two really come to mind. Mrs. Hemler has been my literature teacher for the past two years. She is constantly enthusiastic about the course and cares deeply about her students. On a personal level, she offers encouragement and wise counsel when I find myself facing common high school struggles. Mrs. Jendro is my current religion teacher. She is incredibly genuine and addresses her students with her full attention. She exudes constant gratitude and charity that I hope to emulate in my life.
Describe yourself in three adjectives. Curious, Witty, Happy
What skill or talent have you always wanted to learn? I want to memorize the complete list of American presidents in order.
What is your favorite motto or quote? “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” —St. Catherine of Siena
What is your dream job? Art historian. I would find it incredibly interesting to dive into the history, context and impact of famous European paintings.
What sports, clubs and extracurricular activities are you involved in?
- Deputy house leader
- Girls Basketball Team manager
- Girls Soccer Team manager
- Jazz Band
- Letters of Love Club
- Lions for Life Club
- Medical Club
- Peer tutor
- Speech
- Symphonic Band
- Track and Field
Addison VanCleave
The Blake School
Photo: Gretchen Hunt Photography
“Addison Van Cleave is a joy to teach. To every class and activity, Addison brings an enthusiasm and positivity that is affecting and contagious to her classmates. Addison is also an incredibly capable critical thinker and reader. She prepares assiduously for classes so that she can show up with something valuable to contribute to class discussions. When Addison faces challenges, she doesn’t back down or get discouraged, but instead leans into the challenge, working to discern her best strategic and effective response. Outside of school, Addison has served for two years as the local chapter president of BBYO, a large, international, teen-led Jewish youth movement for high schoolers. Addison is deeply invested in this organization and works diligently to develop programming for her peers in the areas of student leadership, community service and cultural awareness.” —Dion Crushshon, social studies teacher and advisor
How do you balance academic demands, extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities outside of high school? One strategy I use to balance my academic demands, extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities is simply writing everything down in my notes app. Whether I’m blocking out my whole Sunday down to the exact minute or just making a basic to-do list, creating a list of everything I need to accomplish is a lifesaver in not only holding myself accountable but also remembering everything I have to do. Taking five minutes out of my day to make my list can help make all of my demands feel and seem much more manageable and balanced.
Which teacher or staff member had the biggest impact on you and why? One staff member at Blake who has had the biggest impact on me is my grade dean, CJ. Since sophomore year, my friends and I have found our place in CJ’s office. If we are in there to ask CJ for help about courses to take next year, talk about our weekends or just do homework, CJ is never hesitant to welcome us in and make us feel seen throughout a busy day. Taking time out of her day to make us feel seen is something CJ is best at, impacting many other students and me at Blake every day.
Describe yourself in three adjectives. Passionate, Dependable, Devoted
What skill or talent have you always wanted to learn? A backflip or to solve a Rubik’s Cube
What is your favorite motto or quote? “I don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life.” —Billy Joel
What is your dream job? A PR manager for any big brand or a therapist for a celebrity
What sports, clubs and extracurricular activities are you involved in?
- BBYO chapter president
- Camp TEKO counselor
- Herzl Camp Ozo Program volunteer
- Jewish Community Relations Council Youth Fellowship for Jewish Identity & Leadership
- Jewish Student Union co-president
- Junior Varsity Volleyball Team
- Lifeguard at LifeTime
- Minnesota Hillel x Minnesota JCC Jewish Youth Foundational fellow
- Peer Health Educator leadership program
- Softball Team manager
