Academic All-State 2019: Regional standouts from Southeast Iowa
The southeast region Appanoose, Cedar, Clinton, Davis, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Jefferson, Johnson, Keokuk, Lee, Louisa, Mahaska, Monroe, Muscatine, Poweshiek, Scott, Van Burren, Wapello and Washington counties.
► PHOTOS:Meet the top state and regional students
► ACADEMIC ALL-STATE 2019:All the nominees since 2010
► TOP 10 STUDENTS STATEWIDE FOR 2019
► 2019 REGIONAL STANDOUTS:Central | Northwest | Northeast | Southwest | Southeast
► WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK: Don’t see your school represented and want to be included in 2020? Have a question or comment about the selections or the rest of the section? Contact section editor Lucas Grundmeier at lgrundme@dmreg.com or 515-284-8142.
Sujay Marisetty
Pleasant Valley
ACT score: 34
GPA: 4.5
College: Undecided
Major: Neuroscience
What are your life goals? I hope to join the effort in treating debilitating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and ALS. In this pursuit, I am planning to major in neuroscience and aspire to become a physician-scientist to translate research into clinical applications. In addition, I would like to work towards making healthcare more accessible, as it should be human right and not a luxury.
What challenges have shaped you, and how? Performing onstage has been a fear of mine as long as I can remember. Despite this fear, my middle school self mustered up the courage to audition for the musical "Flat Stanley" in seventh grade. Ever since then, the theater has been a part of my life, and through striving to opt for the uncomfortable, I have grown into a more confident person not only onstage, but offstage as well.
Best high school memory: During my sophomore year, along with other Troupe 856 members, I performed on the main stage at the Iowa Thespian Festival. Acting there was an exhilarating moment that I will cherish forever.
My favorite place in Iowa: I made a lot of memories near the Old Capitol Museum in Iowa City, from attending movie nights to watching the Fourth of July fireworks.
My day is not complete until I ... play at least one good, competitive game of chess.
Lillian Prybil
Iowa City, City
ACT score: 35
GPA: 4.0
College: Undecided
Major: Undecided
What are your life goals? After getting my bachelor's degree in an environmental-related field, I plan to attend graduate school. I see myself going a few different directions with my career; I may become an environmental consultant or engineer for a company, work for the government as an official, or go to law school and become an environmental lawyer. Whichever career path I follow, I want to be making a positive impact on the environment through the things I have learned in college. I hope to become an expert on climate change and be one of the people pushing the movement to better our relationship with the world we live in.
What challenges have shaped you, and how? It has been difficult to find a balance in my life. During my junior year, I felt like I was so busy that I barely had enough time to do all that I "had to" do. At times I would ignore my mental health because I was so focused on keeping up with school work, extracurriculars, and having at least some semblance of social life. However, this led to my stress intensifying and a constant sense of anxiety. Through this, I have learned that although an opportunity may seem impossible to pass up, the most important thing is maintaining my well-being.
Best high school memory: Performing with our show choir this season. The show was based on the experiences families have with the University of Iowa Children's Hospital and the Hawkeye wave.
My favorite place in Iowa: A small creek near my grandmother's house. My fondest memories include watching my dog swim for the first time, testing homemade rafts with my sister, and sitting around a campfire with my friends.
My day is not complete until I ... have heard some sort of music. That could include me listening to Spotify on the way to school, playing saxophone, or singing during a rehearsal.
Matt Shafer
Solon
ACT score: 1540
GPA: 4.0
College: Iowa State University
Major: Biochemistry
What are your life goals? After I graduate high school, I plan to attend Iowa State University and major in biochemistry with a potential minor in microbiology. Once I earn my bachelor's degree, I am going to attend graduate school and earn my doctorate in order to become the head of my own biochemistry lab. As a lab researcher, I hope to do important research on microbial and genetic diseases to find cures or better treatment options to help those who are suffering. Besides treating others, I also hope to use this position as a way to give back to the lab research community. My experiences in lab research as a high school student have influenced my choice of career, and I hope to inspire student researchers in the same way that my mentors did for me. Outside of my career, I hope to be heavily involved with my family, faith, and friends. I also plan to be an involved community member and find ways to give back or volunteer frequently.
What challenges have shaped you, and how? When I was in middle school, my parents got divorced. While this was an absolutely earth-shattering development, overcoming this challenge has helped me grow as an individual. First, I learned to cherish my time with my family more. This change also forced me to step up and be mature, and I took on more of a parental role within my family. The skills I learned from being an older brother have helped me tremendously in my high school leadership roles. Although this changed my family forever, I have matured greatly from this experience. Cross country also helped me grow as an individual. After a slow, injury-filled junior season, I knew that something needed to change. I spent the next preseason lifting, running, icing, and stretching, and when my senior season rolled around, I found myself at the front of the team. I finished the season running varsity with a personal best. This experience proved to me that hard work pays off and has changed my work ethic forever.
Best high school memory: My favorite high school memory was winning the Iowa Vocal Jazz Championships for the second time in a row. Performing and sharing the stage with my friends was an amazing experience.
My favorite place in Iowa: The Village Inn in Coralville. My friends and I hang out there nearly every week, and I have made so many amazing memories at the restaurant.
My day is not complete until I ... sing. Whether it be at home, in my car, or with my guitar, I never go a day without performing just for myself to hear.
Colin Wiersema
North Scott
ACT score: 35
Class rank: 1 of 222
GPA: 4.0
College: Iowa State University
Major: Civil Engineering
What are your life goals? My academic and career goals are to attend Iowa State and complete a degree in Civil Engineering in 7 semesters or less while maintaining a high GPA and graduating with honors. In 4-to-5 years, I hope to be employed in a career within my field.
Jenna Zeng
Iowa City West
ACT score: 36
GPA: 4.0
College: New York University
Major: Undecided
What are your life goals? I would love to have a job in economics, finance or business. I hope I am successful and I want to live in a big city and travel the world. In general, I hope I am happy doing whatever it is I end up doing and have the ability to help out and give back to my community and the people that have helped me.
What challenges have shaped you, and how? One of the biggest challenges for me was getting over my extreme shyness. I used to dread interacting with people that I didn't know and was terrified of speaking up. However, once I started high school, I came to hate that part of myself and wanted to break out of my shell. I deliberately put myself in uncomfortable situations by taking a public speaking class, working in customer service as a weekend job and volunteering at the hospital. Through these experiences, I had to be the one to reach out to others and pretty soon it came naturally. I no longer saw myself as a shy, timid individual, but rather as an outgoing, open person who enjoys talking to and learning from other people.
Best high school memory: We had a cultural food gallery walk in AP Human Geography. The project was to research and create a poster about a country and bring in a unique food from that culture.
► ACADEMIC ALL-STATE 2019:All the nominees since 2010
► TOP 10 STUDENTS STATEWIDE FOR 2019
► 2019 REGIONAL STANDOUTS:Central | Northwest | Northeast | Southwest | Southeast