Discus Award Winner
Winners Gallery
PHOTOS
Natalie Flynn
12th Grade, IL
ATTRIBUTES
Academics
Adacemics are my main focus in school. As a high school senior, I am enrolled in two dual credit classes with the nearby community college. I have a 3.8 unweighted GPA and a 4.3 weighted GPA. I am ranked in the top ten percent of my class. My proudest accomplishments academically are being Secretary of my school's National Honor Society and Vice-President of the National English Honor Society. Also, I have been a member of the National German Honor Society for the past three years. I scored a 31 on my ACT with a 34 in the English category. I take as many advanced classes as I possibly can, and I have never earned a grade lower than a B in any class. I was recently accepted into the College of Business at the University of Illinois, where I hope to further my academic accomplishments.
Community Service
I am a mentor in the Role Models Encouraging Freshman (REF) program at my high school. This program involves upperclassmen teaching lessons to freshman during their homeroom class period. These lessons include everything from social skills to study tips and college advice. The main goal of the REF program and our high school is to create college and career ready individuals. As a REF, I have to be patient, assertive, relatable, and most importantly knowledgeable. I feel like by teaching freshman everyday, I in turn learn from them. Through volunteering I have learned that no amount of charity is too small. Ultimately this program will create hundreds of college and career ready graduates who will enter the work force in our community, increasing morale and the economy.
Athletics
My running career began sophomore year when friends got me involved cross country. The sense of community I felt when I was at practice made me never want to leave. I was awarded most valuable player that season, and it made me gain motivation to become a leader. Helping others was an opportunity that couldn’t be passed up, and I saw it was within reach. I worked hard at each and every practice and encouraged my peers to do the same. This year I was voted captain by my fellow teammates, and it originally felt as if all of my hard work had paid off. However, being a leader is constantly hard work. Every day I motivate my team and set myself as an example for them. It is never about being the fastest, but ultimately coaching the others to meet their greatest potential.
